Mercusuar.co – Roots are generally the underground part of the plant body that help anchor it to the soil and absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Sometimes roots are deformed and modified to store food reserves such as those found in sweet potato, radish, and carrot plants. They are also modified for respiration (e.g., roots of mangrove trees), and additional support (e.g., aerial roots of banyan trees).
Origin and Development
The developing embryo or radicle is the first part to emerge from the seeds during germination, which then forms akar primer or roots plant. The primary root then divides further to form akar sekunder wants tertiary and root hair to complete the root system.
What are the Main Parts of the Root System Plants?
A typical plant root system has four distinct sections or zones: 1) Root cover part , 2) cell division region or meristematic region, 3) elongation region, and 4) region of maturation or differentiation. Each root region performs a specific function. Except for the root cap, the other three zones are collectively known as the ‘root tip area’.
1 Part root cover
The tip of the root is protected by a multicellular (more than one cell) structure called the root cap. The cells of the root cap are always in a state of division, so they are constantly renewing and increasing in number as the roots penetrate the soil.
Function
- Brings water and minerals from the soil
- Protects sensitive tissue growing in roots
- Secretes thick mucus that helps roots penetrate the soil
- Communicating with soil microorganisms
Root caps are absent in some aquatic and parasitic plants, where they are replaced by more specialized structures called root pockets. They lack the protective function of the root cap and also the ability to divide.
2 Part Cell Division (Meristem)
It is located a few millimeters above the root cap. The cells of the meristematic area are usually small, thin-walled, and contain dense protoplasm. Meristematic cells contain three layers: i) Dermatogen – outermost layer, ii) Plerome – middle layer, and iii) Periblem – innermost layer.
Function
- Perform cell division to produce new cells for developing roots
- Helps in root elongation
3 Section Extension
It is located next to the meristematic region. They are not capable of cell division.
Function
- Helps increase the length and size of root cells that have lost their ability to reproduce.
- Helps absorb water and minerals from the soil
4 Parts of Maturation or Differentiation
Located next to the elongation area, it is also called the piliferous area. They develop as cells of the elongation zone differentiate and mature into specialized tissues such as root hairs, endodermis, and cortex.
Function
- Keeps plants and trees attached to the ground
- Forms specialized tissues such as root hairs, xylem and phloem which helps the absorption and conduction of water and minerals from the soil
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