Name: Leander C.

Creer Date Performed: February 7, 2019

Course/Year: BS Biology I Date Submitted: February 11, 2019

EXERCISE 4
The Root

I. Introduction
In order for plants to get their needed water and minerals for growth from the
ground, they have a part which is built specifically for the absorption of water and minerals
called the root. The roots help provide support by anchoring the plant and absorbing water
and nutrients needed for growth. They can also store sugars and carbohydrates that the
plant uses to carry out other functions. Plants can have either a taproot system or a fibrous
root system. In both cases, the roots are what carries the water and nutrients needed for
plants to grow.
The entire group of roots that the plant has is called the root system. A root system
is the network of all the roots of a plant; the system of roots and related organs that a plant
develops. No matter what type of root system a plant has, it is the root system of a plant
that ensures all parts of the plant receive the required water and minerals to grow. Thus the
main focus of this exercise is the observation and identification of the different root systems
from various plants.

II. Objectives
The objectives of the exercise were the following: First, was to know what the
different types of root systems are and also to know what different kinds of root
modifications could be seen. Second, was to identify and describe the parts of the root that
were observed in the plants. Lastly, was to know the difference between a monocot and a
dicot based on their root’s structure.

III. Procedures

In this exercise, the first thing that was done was the observation of the root systems
of the specimens that were used for the activity. The types of root system, modification
were asked to be observed. After looking at the root systems of the specimens,
identification followed and the roots types that were seen were needed to be drawn. Some
prepared slides were also used in this exercise and they were viewed under the microscope
 so that some roots were seen in much more detail. The following are the specimens
observed in the exercise:
 Root system of Zea mays (corn)
 Raphanus sativus (radish)
 Pachyrhizus erosus (singkamas)
 Daucus carota (carrots)
 Eleusine indica (goosegrass)
 Orchid plant
 Paspalum conjugatum (carabao grass)
 Bryophyllum pinnata (katakataka)
 Ipomoea batatas (kamote)
 Saccharrum officinale (sugarcane)
 Dioscorea alata (ube)
 Opuntia sp. (prickly pear cactus)
 Antigonun leptopus (cadena de amor)
 Roots of Rhizophora sp. (mangrove)
 Euphorbia hirta (Tawa-tawa)
 Prepared slides (Ranunculus root in c.s., Zea mays root in c.s. and Allium
cepa roottip in l.s.)

IV. Results and Discussion

Fig 1. Corn root system

Looking at the root of the corn, it can be seen that it has a fibrous root system because its
roots are thin, fibrous and they have similar sizes and shape.
 Fig 2. Radish

Based on the root of the radish, it was easily identified as a dicot because it has a taproot
system. A taproot system has thick primary root and this could be seen in the radish.

Fig 3. Singkamas

In the root of the Pachyrhizus erosus commonly known as singkamas, it was observed that
it had a fleshy tap root meaning it has a tap root system. With a prominent thick primary root, it
was easily identified.
 Fig 4. Carrot
Looking at the root of the carrot, its thick primary root could be easily seen which is why
it has a taproot system. A thick swollen root is its primary characteristic.

Fig 5. Goosegrass
Upon observing the roots of the goosegrass, looking at its thin roots, its root system was
easily identified and it had a fibrous root system.
 Fig 6. Orchid
Based on the roots of the orchid, it could be identified as having a fibrous root system
because its roots are thin and it has no thick primary root.

Fig 7. Carabao grass

Based on the roots of the carabao grass, it has a fibrous root system because its roots are
thin and numerous roots develop from a single point.
 Fig 8. Katakataka
Looking at the roots of the katakataka, it has a fibrous root system based on the structure
of its roots

Fig 9. Kamote (Sweet Potato)

Upon observation, the root system of the sweet potato has a fibrous root system because
it has thin roots but these become swollen and form the edible root-tubers which is shown in the
picture. It is also considered as a tuberous root.
 Fig 10. Sugarcane
Upon looking at the roots of the sugarcane, it was identified as having a fibrous root
system because of the structure of its roots and since it is a monocot.

Fig 11. Ube

It has a fibrous root system and like the sweet potato its roots can become swollen and form
the edible root-tubers which is shown in the picture. It is also considered as a tuberous root.
 Fig 12. Prickly Pear Cactus
Upon looking, it has a fibrous root system based on the thin fibrous roots present.

Fig 13. Cadena de Amor

The root system of the cadena de amor is a taproot system because it has a prominent
primary root and since it is also a dicot.

Fig 14. Mangrove

Based on the picture of the roots of the mangrove, they have an adventitious or fibrous.
root system
 Fig 15. Tawa-tawa
A distinct primary root is observable in the root system of E. hirta. A Taproot System is
observable from the tawa-tawa.

Anatomy of the Root

 Herbaceous Dicot

Fig 16. Ranunculus root under 100x mag.

The structure and different layers in the root of the Ranunculus was observed and
identified. Their functions were also studied.
  Monocot

Fig 17. Zea mays root under 100x mag.

The prepared slide of a Zea mays (corn) root was observed and its layers and structures
were identified.

 The Root Tip

Fig 18. Allium cepa root tip under 100x mag.

Based on the prepared slide of the Allium cepa root tip, its different parts were identified
and their functions were also known.
3. Table 1. Roots and root systems of some angiosperms
Scientific Monocot or Type of root Modification (if Function(s)
Name Dicot system any)
Zea mays (corn) Monocot Fibrous Prop roots For mechanical
support
Raphanus Dicot Taproot Fusiform For storage of
sativus (radish) food.
Pachyrhizus Dicot Taproot Napiform For storage of
erosus food.
(singkamas)
Daucus carota Dicot Taproot Conical For storage of
(carrots) food.
Eleusine indica Monocot Fibrous none none
(goosegrass)
Orchidaceae Monocot Fibrous Aerial roots For absorption
(orchid) of moisture
and nutrients.
Paspalum Monocot Fibrous none none
conjugatum
(carabao grass)
Bryophyllum Dicot Taproot none none
pinnata
(katakataka)
Ipomoea Dicot Fibrous Tuberous root For storage
batatas
(kamote)
Saccharrum Monocot Fibrous Stilt roots For mechanical
officinale support.
(sugarcane)
Dioscorea alata Dicot Fibrous Tuberous root For storage
(ube)
Opuntia sp. Dicot Taproot none none
(prickly pear
cactus)
Antigonun Dicot Taproot Climbing roots For mechanical
leptopus support
(cadena de
amor)

Rhizophora sp. Dicot Fibrous Pneumatophores For storage of

(mangrove) food.
Euphorbia hirta Dicot Taproot none none
(Tawa-tawa)
 Based on the table, the specimens had different types of root systems which varied from
plant to plant. Some had the same root systems while the others were not similar. The root system
of a plant was also determined when it was identified as a monocot or a dicot. Alos on the table,
that the specimens had root modifications that varied. Some had a modification while some did
not have any modification. The functions of these modifications were different form plant to plant
because the modification catered to the need of the plant.

4. The main root system of the corn plant is the nodal root system, which means that the roots
originate at one of the lower stem nodes (“joints”) of the plant. There are usually fives nodes below
the soil surface, and the bulk of the root system grows from these nodes. The roots that grow from
nodes above the soil surface are called “brace roots”, based on the observation that they appear to
help brace the crop from falling over. Brace roots enter the soil some distance away from the stalk,
so have a better angle from which to brace the plant. Brace roots also take up water and nutrients,
unless the surface soil is dry.

5. The root of the orchid contained the dermal tissue system and also the apical meristem was
also seen. The apical meristem is the growth tissue. The rootcap covers the apical meristem. The
epidermis is the 'skin' of the root and produces extension called root hairs. The root hairs are
extensions of epidermal cells and they look like tiny hairs. These are very important for water and
mineral intake. Also the epiphytic roots of orchids develop a spongy tissue to absorb moisture and
nutrients from any organic material from their roots.
Study questions:

1. Which root system is best adapted for anchorage? Explain your answer.
The root system that is best suited for anchorage is the taproot system because in
the taproot system, a single primary root dominates over branch roots which means that
this thicker primary root has more anchorage capability compared with the fibrous roots
form the fibrous root system.

2. Which among the root systems is most advantageous to the plant? Explain your
answer.
The most advantageous root system to the plant is the fibrous root system because
in this root system, there is more area of coverage for the roots and since it is fibrous it
means that it is spread out around the plant. With more area of coverage, this means that
the plant could absorb more water and minerals from the ground.
3. Differentiate a monocot root from a dicot root.
 In a dicot root, the number of xylem and phloem is continuous while in a monocot,
they are numerous in number.
 Pith is absent or very small at a dicot root while it is Big and well developed at
monocot root.
 Xylem vessels are curved in a monocot root and angular at a dicot root.
 The cortex of a Monocot root is broad while that of a dicot root is narrow.
 Secondary growth occurs in a dicot root but not in a monocot root.

4. Why are monocot roots slender and diffuse in appearance?

Monocot roots slender and diffuse in appearance because of their fibrous root
system — In this root system, the primary root is short lived. A cluster of slender, fiber-
like roots arises from the base of the radicle and plumule which constitute the fibrous root
system. They do not branch profusely, are shallow and spread horizontally, hence cannot
provide strong anchorage. Fibrous root system is the main root system of monocots.

5. What is the function of the root cap? From which meristem did it originate?
A root cap is a small cone of cells that protects the growing part of a root. The root
cap originates from the apical meristem in the plant. The root cap is directly responsible
for gravity perception in the plant. The function of the root cap is to cover and protect the
cells at the end of the root of a plant. It also assists in growth, as it secretes a lubricant that
enables better movement through the soil.

6. Which tissue gives rise to root hairs? What are they for?
Epidermal tissue gives rise to root hairs. The epidermis can produce root hairs,
which are the main site of water and nutrient absorption. Root hairs allow for greater
surface area so that plants can take in more vital substances. While root hairs are very
 important, they only live for a few days. This means that the epidermis must continually
produce new root hairs. In some plants, there are even specific types of fungi and bacteria
that help with absorption.

7. How do endodermal cells differ from other types of cells?

Endodermal cells differ from other types of cells because the cells of the
endodermis typically have their primary cell walls thickened on four sides radial and
transverse with suberin, a water-impermeable waxy substance which in young endodermal
cells is deposited in distinctive bands called Casparian strips. The endodermis prevents
water, and any solutes dissolved in the water, from passing through this layer via the
apoplast pathway.

8. What is the significance of the pericycle?

Pericycle is a primary tissue that maintains meristematic activity and is involved
in lateral root initiation and development as well as in secondary root growth. As such it
contributes to formation of the root system and gives rise to two secondary meristems in
roots: vascular cambium and cork cambium (phellogen).
V. Conclusion
In this exercise, the different root systems of plants were observed and their functions
were studied based on their structure. By looking at the different root systems, it was known
that the root systems of monocots and dicots were different. The monocot has fibrous roots
while a dicot has a taproot system. This is why it is important to know if a plant is a monocot
or a dicot so that identifying its root system would be easier. The two kinds of root systems
had their own defining characteristic like how the taproot system had thick swollen primary
root while the fibrous root system had thin, fibrous roots. Each root system had their own
modifications depending on the plant and what specific function it was doing. These
modifications function as adaptations catered for the plant’s needs. These distinct
modifications were clearly observed from the specimens used in the exercise. In conclusion,
the root system of plants varies in types and structure depending on the type of the plant and
these root systems had their own modifications that have a specific function.

VI. References
 https://www.maximumyield.com/definition/3433/root-system
 http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-
book/Dictionary/Dictionary_R/dictionary_root_system_apparatus.
htm
 https://extension.illinois.edu/gpe/case1/c1facts2a.html
 https://diffzi.com/dicot-root-vs-monocot-root/
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/primary-root-tissue-root-hairs-
and-the-plant-vascular-cylinder.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endodermis