Root

Development and Morphology

Origin
Derived from the hypocotyl of the
seed embryo
Developing from the radicle
(rudimentary tip)

Functions:
1. Absorption
2. Anchorage
3. Conduction and storage

Morphology
radicle

Primary root

Sec root

Other
roots

Hypocotyl

root system
Tap root

Radicle is not
persistent

Fibrous root

2dary root

Primary root

Root hair
3try root

Dicot
seedling

Root system

epicotyl

Primary root

Monocot seedling

Root Development
Primary plant body

Root Structure

Characteristics: External
1. No leaves , leaf scars
2. No buds (axillary or apical)

Root Structure
Characteristics: Internal
1. Arrangement of the protoxylem
exarch - centripetal differentiation of the protoxylem
2. Type of stele
a. siphonostele - ring of vascular tissues
surrounding a parenchymatous pith
b. protostele lobed and a solid core of
primary xylem at the center
3. Number of primary xylem lobes formed by the
procambium
a. diarch (2 xylem poles)
b. triarch ( 3 )
c. tetraarch (4)
d. polyarch (many)

Root Structure
1. Root tip root cells are covered and grow and
push its own meristem towards the root cap
a. root cap
1. columella cells
2. Peripheral cells
b. Quiescent center
2. Subapical region
a. cellular division
b. celllular elongation
c. cellular maturation
3. Mature region

Quiescent center - inactive cells arrested on the G1 phase of

cell cycle, divides every 15 20 days
-Not affected by radiation ( differs from meristematic cells),
- begins division to re form the meristem
-Function: reservoir to replace damaged cells of the meristem
;
- organize the pattern of primary growth in roots
Peripheral cells came from columella cells, which secrete
mucigel from the dictyosomes
Mucigel
containscells
sugars,
organic
acids, vitamins,
enzymes
Columella
contain
amyloplast
that
and amino
acidsin response to gravity on the
sediment
lower Protection,
portion of the
cells
Functions:
lubrication,
water and
absorption

nutrient

Peripheral cells
Quiescent center
Columella cells

Apical meristem
Allium root tip

protoderm
Ground meristem

Root cap
procambium

Corn root tip

Apical meristem

Region of differentiation

stele

cortex

Lateral maturation

29

23

Allium root tip

Corn root tip

epidermis

cortex

stele

endodermis

phloem

metaxylem

Endodermis

Cross section of Zea root

Specialized roots
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Photosynthetic roots
Supporting roots (prop, brace, buttress, clinging)
Breathing roots (pneumatophores)
Reproductive roots (suckers)
Storage roots (root tubers)
Contractile roots
Absorptive roots (velamen, uncutinized
epidermis)
8. Parasitic roots (mycorrhizae)
9. Nitrogen fixing roots (root nodules)

Bamboo roots
Corn roots

Root nodules

Physiological Effects of Roots

Factors affecting the rate of absorption in roots

1.
2.
3.

Temperature
Osmotic potential of the soil solution
a. gravel
b. sand
c. silt
Aeration (O2)

4. Concentration of CO2
5. Availability of water
a. gravitational water
b. capillary water
c. hygroscopic water
d. run off water

d. clay

Roots containing drugs

Ginseng (Panax quinquefolia) adaptogen
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) anthelmintic
Countess bark (Cinchona succirubra) anti malaria,
anti arrythmia
Ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) anti emetic,
expectorant
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) cardiac depressant
Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) - treatment of small
- cell lung cancer, testicular cancer, lymphomas,
leukemias
Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) purgative
Yam (Dioscorea mexicana) source of corticosteroids