The Root
The root forms the underground root system of a flowering plant. This page covers the parts of a flowering plant and the tap, fibrous and adventitious root systems. It then explains the functions of the root and the four regions of the root tip. The order follows the NCERT Class 11 chapter on morphology of flowering plants. NEET often tests root examples and the order of root regions through match-the-list and sequence questions. Learn each region of the root with its exact role.
- ★ Must learn Every flowering plant has roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.
- The root system lies below the ground; the shoot system lies above it.
- ★ Must learn Tap root system: the primary root and its branches, as in mustard (dicots).
- ★ Must learn Fibrous root system: many roots from the stem base replace the short-lived primary root, as in wheat (monocots).
- Adventitious roots arise from parts other than the radicle: grass, Monstera, banyan.
- Root functions: absorption, anchorage, food storage and synthesis of plant growth regulators.
- ★ Must learn Root tip regions from the apex: root cap, meristematic activity, elongation, maturation.
- Meristematic cells are very small, thin-walled, with dense protoplasm, and divide repeatedly.
- ★ Must learn The region of elongation is responsible for growth of the root in length.
- Root hairs arise from epidermal cells of the region of maturation and absorb water and minerals.
1. Studying the Form of Flowering Plants
1.1 How plant form was studied
- Early naturalists described living forms by observation: first with the naked eye, later with magnifying lenses and microscopes.
- These descriptions recorded gross structural features, both external and internal.
- They also recorded observable and perceivable living phenomena.
- Before experimental biology (physiology) was established, biology remained a natural history for a long time.
- Later, these detailed descriptions helped scientists frame research questions in physiology and evolutionary biology.
- Morphology: the study of the external structure (form) of an organism. Internal structure is studied as anatomy.
- Morphology and anatomy are described separately for plants and for animals.
- Katherine Esau (1898-1997), a plant anatomist, showed that the curly top virus spreads through the phloem, the food-conducting tissue.
- Her books Plant Anatomy (1954) and The Anatomy of Seed Plants (1960) revived the study of plant anatomy worldwide.
- She was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1957 and received the National Medal of Science in 1989.
1.2 Parts of a flowering plant
- Angiosperms show great diversity in external structure, or morphology.
- ★ Exam imp Yet all of them have roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.
- Classifying or understanding any plant needs standard technical terms and standard definitions.
- Plant parts vary as adaptations to the environment: to different habitats, for protection, for climbing and for storage.
- Any weed pulled out of the soil shows roots, a stem and leaves; it may also bear flowers and fruits.
- Root system: the underground part of a flowering plant.
- Shoot system: the part above the ground, made of the stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.
Five parts in every flowering plant: Roots, Stems, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits. Read them from the soil upwards.
2. The Root System
2.1 Tap root system
- In most dicotyledonous plants, the radicle (embryonic root) elongates directly to form the primary root.
- The primary root grows inside the soil.
- It bears lateral roots of several orders, called secondary, tertiary roots and so on.
- ★ Exam imp Tap root system: the primary root and its branches together, as in the mustard plant.
2.2 Fibrous root system
- In monocotyledonous plants, the primary root is short-lived.
- It is replaced by a large number of roots.
- These roots originate from the base of the stem.
- ★ Exam imp Fibrous root system: this bunch of roots, as in the wheat plant.
2.3 Adventitious roots
- ★ Exam imp Adventitious roots: roots that arise from parts of the plant other than the radicle.
- Examples: grass, Monstera and the banyan tree.
| Feature | Tap root system | Fibrous root system | Adventitious roots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Radicle elongates into the primary root | Base of the stem | Any part other than the radicle |
| Primary root | Persists and branches | Short-lived, replaced | Not from the primary root |
| Usual group | Dicotyledons | Monocotyledons | Varied plants |
| Example | Mustard | Wheat | Grass, Monstera, banyan tree |
★ Very important Generally, dicots have tap roots and monocots have fibrous roots. Adventitious roots are defined only by origin: they do not come from the radicle.
Mustard has a Main root; Wheat has a Wisp of fibres. Tap = mustard, fibrous = wheat. For adventitious roots, remember "Green Monsters on Banyans": Grass, Monstera, Banyan.
2.4 Functions of the root
- Absorption of water and minerals from the soil.
- Providing proper anchorage to the plant parts.
- Storing reserve food material.
- Synthesis of plant growth regulators.
Root functions = two A's and two S's: Absorption, Anchorage, Storage, Synthesis (of plant growth regulators).
- In some plants, roots are modified for storage of food, mechanical support and respiration.
Extra Depth: Root modifications (listed in the NEET syllabus).
- Food storage: tap roots of carrot and turnip; adventitious roots of sweet potato.
- Support: prop roots hang down from the branches of the banyan tree.
- Support: stilt roots grow from the lower nodes of the stem in maize and sugarcane.
- Respiration: in swampy areas, roots of Rhizophora grow vertically upwards above the ground as pneumatophores and take in oxygen.
- Unlike dicots, monocots do not keep their primary root: it is short-lived.
- Fibrous roots arise from the base of the stem, not from the radicle.
- Adventitious roots arise from any part except the radicle.
- The dicot-tap and monocot-fibrous rule holds generally, not for every plant.
3. Regions of the Root
Four regions are seen from the root apex upwards. Proximal here means nearer the base of the root, away from the tip.
- Root cap: a thimble-like structure covering the apex. It protects the tender apex as the root makes its way through the soil.
- Region of meristematic activity: a few millimetres above the root cap. Its cells are very small, thin-walled, with dense protoplasm, and divide repeatedly.
- Region of elongation: proximal to the meristematic region. Its cells elongate and enlarge rapidly, so this region causes growth in length.
- Region of maturation: proximal to the region of elongation. Its cells gradually differentiate and mature.
- ★ Exam imp Root hairs: very fine, delicate, thread-like structures formed by some epidermal cells of the region of maturation.
- Root hairs absorb water and minerals from the soil.
★ Very important The root cap protects the apex, and the meristematic region above it divides. The region of elongation makes the root grow in length. The region of maturation bears the root hairs.
| Region | Position | Cells | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root cap | At the apex | Form a thimble-like cover | Protects the tender apex |
| Meristematic activity | A few millimetres above the root cap | Very small, thin-walled, dense protoplasm | Repeated cell division |
| Elongation | Proximal to the meristematic region | Rapid elongation and enlargement | Growth in length |
| Maturation | Proximal to the region of elongation | Differentiate and mature | Bears root hairs |
From the tip upwards: "Can Many Elephants March?" = root Cap, Meristematic activity, Elongation, Maturation.
- Growth in length is due to the region of elongation, not the meristematic region.
- Root hairs come from epidermal cells of the region of maturation, not elongation.
- The meristematic region lies a few millimetres above the root cap; the cap itself does not divide to lengthen the root.
Labelling a root tip: the zone with root hairs is always maturation. The thimble at the very tip is the cap. The short zone just above the cap is meristematic, and the smooth zone between it and the root hairs is elongation.
Which region of the root bears root hairs?
What is the role of the root cap?
Which region causes growth of the root in length?
Describe the cells of the meristematic region.
4. Exam Essentials
Pairs to Match
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| Tap root system | Mustard |
| Fibrous root system | Wheat |
| Adventitious roots | Grass, Monstera, banyan tree |
| Primary root | Direct elongation of the radicle |
| Fibrous roots | Arise from the base of the stem |
| Root cap | Protects the tender root apex |
| Region of meristematic activity | Cells divide repeatedly |
| Region of elongation | Growth of the root in length |
| Region of maturation | Cells differentiate and mature |
| Root hairs | Absorb water and minerals |
| Katherine Esau | Curly top virus spreads through the phloem |
Numbers to Remember
- A few millimetres: distance of the meristematic region above the root cap.
- 4 regions of the root tip; 4 main functions of the root.
- 3 kinds of roots: tap, fibrous and adventitious.
- 1954: Plant Anatomy; 1960: The Anatomy of Seed Plants (Katherine Esau).
Examples to Remember
| Root type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Tap root system | Mustard |
| Fibrous root system | Wheat |
| Adventitious roots | Grass, Monstera, banyan tree |
Name the root system of wheat.
Define adventitious roots.
Name the part marked as the thimble-like cover in a root-tip figure.
5. Quick Revision
- All angiosperms have roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.
- Root system: underground; shoot system: above the ground.
- Radicle elongates into the primary root in most dicots.
- Lateral roots: secondary, tertiary and so on.
- Tap root system: primary root with branches; mustard.
- Fibrous root system: short-lived primary root replaced by roots from the stem base; wheat.
- Adventitious roots: from parts other than the radicle; grass, Monstera, banyan.
- Functions: absorption, anchorage, storage of food, synthesis of plant growth regulators.
- Root cap: thimble-like; protects the tender apex.
- Meristematic region: a few millimetres above the cap; small, dividing cells.
- Region of elongation: growth in length.
- Region of maturation: cells differentiate; root hairs absorb water and minerals.
- Some roots are modified for storage, support and respiration.
6. Solved Examples
List I: A. Tap root system; B. Fibrous root system; C. Adventitious roots; D. Root hairs
List II: I. Banyan tree; II. Absorb water and minerals; III. Mustard; IV. Wheat
Choose the correct answer.
(A) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
(B) A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
(C) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
(D) A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
Answer: (A). Mustard has a tap root system, wheat a fibrous one, the banyan tree has adventitious roots, and root hairs absorb water and minerals.
A. Region of elongation; B. Root cap; C. Region of maturation; D. Region of meristematic activity
Choose the correct order.
(A) B, A, D, C
(B) D, B, A, C
(C) B, D, A, C
(D) B, D, C, A
Answer: (C). Root cap at the apex, then the meristematic region a few millimetres above it, then elongation, then maturation.
A. In monocots, the primary root is short-lived.
B. Fibrous roots arise from the radicle.
C. The region of elongation is responsible for growth in length.
D. Root hairs arise from the epidermal cells of the region of maturation.
E. The root cap is the region of repeated cell division.
Choose the correct answer.
(A) A, B and C only
(B) A, C and D only
(C) B, D and E only
(D) C, D and E only
Answer: (B). B is false: fibrous roots arise from the base of the stem. E is false: cells divide repeatedly in the meristematic region, while the cap protects the apex. A, C and D are true.
(A) Absorption of water and minerals
(B) Anchorage of the plant parts
(C) Synthesis of plant growth regulators
(D) Bearing leaves, flowers and fruits
Answer: (D). Bearing leaves, flowers and fruits is the work of the stem. The other three are functions of the root, along with storing reserve food.
Statement II: Adventitious roots arise from the radicle.
Choose the correct answer.
(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
(D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer: (C). Grass, Monstera and the banyan tree have adventitious roots, but these roots arise from parts other than the radicle.
7. Practice Questions
- Distinguish between the tap root system and the fibrous root system, with one example each.Answer: Tap root: the radicle forms a persistent primary root that branches (mustard). Fibrous: the primary root is short-lived and many roots arise from the base of the stem (wheat).
- In which region of the root do cells elongate and enlarge rapidly?
(a) Root cap
(b) Region of meristematic activity
(c) Region of elongation
(d) Region of maturationAnswer: (c) Region of elongation; it causes growth in length. - Match List I with List II. List I: A. Root cap; B. Meristematic region; C. Region of maturation; D. Primary root. List II: I. Root hairs; II. From the radicle; III. Protects the apex; IV. Repeated division.
(1) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
(2) A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
(3) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
(4) A-I, B-IV, C-III, D-IIAnswer: (1). Cap protects; meristem divides; maturation bears root hairs; primary root comes from the radicle. - Read the statements. A. Mustard has a tap root system. B. Wheat has adventitious roots only. C. Roots store reserve food. D. Root hairs form in the region of elongation.
(1) A and C only
(2) A, B and C only
(3) B and D only
(4) A, C and D onlyAnswer: (1). B is false: wheat has a fibrous root system. D is false: root hairs form in the region of maturation. - Which statement about adventitious roots is NOT correct?
(a) They arise from parts other than the radicle
(b) They are found in Monstera
(c) They always develop from the primary root
(d) The banyan tree has themAnswer: (c). Adventitious roots do not come from the radicle or the primary root. - Statement I: Root hairs absorb water and minerals. Statement II: Root hairs are formed by the epidermal cells of the region of elongation.
(1) Both correct
(2) Both incorrect
(3) I correct, II incorrect
(4) I incorrect, II correctAnswer: (3). Root hairs arise in the region of maturation. - Name the four parts present in every flowering plant above the root.Answer: Stem, leaves, flowers and fruits (with the root, five parts in all).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing that the root cap is the region of cell division. The cap protects; division occurs a few millimetres above it.
- Saying the meristematic region causes growth in length. Correct: the region of elongation does.
- Placing root hairs in the region of elongation. Correct: region of maturation.
- Calling wheat a tap-rooted plant. Correct: wheat has a fibrous root system; mustard has a tap root.
- Saying fibrous roots grow from the radicle. Correct: they arise from the base of the stem.
- Treating adventitious roots as branches of the primary root. They arise from other parts of the plant.
- Forgetting that the primary root of monocots is short-lived.
- Leaving out synthesis of plant growth regulators from the list of root functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tap root and a fibrous root system?
In a tap root system, the radicle elongates into a primary root that persists and bears secondary and tertiary roots, as in mustard. In a fibrous root system, the primary root is short-lived and is replaced by many roots from the base of the stem, as in wheat.
What are adventitious roots? Give examples.
Adventitious roots are roots that arise from any part of the plant other than the radicle. Grass, Monstera and the banyan tree are examples. They are identified by their origin, not by their shape, so they can occur in many different plants.
What are the regions of the root tip in order?
From the apex upwards, the regions are the root cap, the region of meristematic activity, the region of elongation and the region of maturation. The cap protects the apex, the meristem divides, the elongation region lengthens the root and the maturation region bears root hairs.
Which region of the root is responsible for growth in length?
The region of elongation. Its cells lie just above the meristematic region and elongate and enlarge rapidly, which pushes the root tip deeper. NEET often offers the meristematic region as a wrong option, because students confuse cell division with growth in length.
Where do root hairs develop and what is their function?
Root hairs develop from some epidermal cells of the region of maturation. They are very fine, delicate, thread-like structures that absorb water and minerals from the soil. They do not form in the region of elongation or at the root cap.
What are the main functions of the root?
The root absorbs water and minerals from the soil, anchors the plant, stores reserve food material and synthesises plant growth regulators. In some plants, roots are also modified for storage of food, mechanical support and respiration.
Do all dicots have tap roots and all monocots fibrous roots?
Generally, dicotyledonous plants have tap roots and monocotyledonous plants have fibrous roots. The rule is general, not absolute. Adventitious roots can also occur, as in grass and the banyan tree, where roots arise from parts other than the radicle.
Is the NCERT root topic important for NEET?
Yes. Morphology of flowering plants is among the most frequently tested Class 11 chapters in NEET. Questions on the root ask for examples of root types and the sequence and role of the root-tip regions, often as match-the-list or sequence questions.
Previous year questions on The Root
2 questions from past papers, each with a step-by-step solution.
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