Transcript Slide 1
Plant Organs: Roots Chapter 6 KEY TERMS • TAPROOT SYSTEM • • A root system consisting of one prominent main root with smaller lateral roots branching from it FIBROUS ROOT SYSTEM • A root system consisting of several adventitious roots of approximately equal size that arise from the base of the stem Root Systems LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1 • Describe the functions of roots • Describe two features of roots that shoots lack Functions of Roots • • • • Anchorage Absorption Conduction Storage Storage Roots KEY TERMS • ROOT CAP • • A covering of cells over the root tip that protects delicate meristematic tissue directly behind it ROOT HAIR • An extension of an epidermal cell of a root that increases absorptive capacity of the root Root Cap • Each root tip has a root cap • • • • A protective thimblelike layer Many cells thick Covers delicate root apical meristem May orient root so it grows downward Root Hairs • Short-lived, unicellular extensions of epidermal cells near the growing root tip • Increase surface area of root in contact with moist soil, increasing root’s absorptive capacity Structures Unique to Roots Root apical meristem (area of cell division) Root cap (a) The root cap of an onion (Allium cepa) root. The root cap protects the root’s apical meristem. Fig. 6-3a, p. 114 Root hairs Soil air Soil water Soil particles Epidermis (b) Root hairs on a radish (Raphanus sativus) seedling. Each delicate hair is a unicellular extension of the root epidermis. Root hairs increase the surface area in contact with the soil. Fig. 6-3b, p. 114 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2 • Contrast the structure of a primary eudicot root and a monocot root • Describe the functions of each tissue Primary Eudicot Roots 1 • Outer protective covering • • Ground tissues • • • Epidermis Cortex Pith (in certain roots) Vascular tissues • • Xylem Phloem Primary Eudicot Roots 2 • Epidermis • • • Protects the root Root hairs help absorb water and dissolved minerals Cortex • • Consists of parenchyma cells Usually stores starch KEY TERMS • ENDODERMIS • Innermost layer of the cortex of the root that prevents water and dissolved materials from entering the xylem by passing between cells KEY TERMS • CASPARIAN STRIP • • A band of waterproof material around the radial and transverse cells of the endodermis Ensures that water and minerals enter the xylem only by passing through the endodermal cells Endodermis and Mineral Uptake Endodermis Cortex Epidermis Casparian strip Endodermis Root cross section Casparian strip Movement of water through the endodermis to the center of the root Fig. 6-5, p. 118 KEY TERMS • PERICYCLE • • A layer of cells just inside the endodermis of the root Gives rise to lateral roots Lateral Root Fig. 6-7, p. 120 Ruptured epidermis Lateral root Cortex Pericycle Willow Fig. 6-7, p. 120 Primary Eudicot Roots 3 • Xylem • • conducts water and dissolved minerals Phloem • conducts dissolved sugar Herbaceous Eudicot Root Buttercup Epidermis Cortex Stele (a) Cross section of a buttercup (Ranunculus) root. Note that the bulk of the root is the cortex. Fig. 6-4a, p. 116 Cortex cells filled with amyloplasts Endodermis cell Pericycle cell Phloem cell Xylem vessel elements Intercellular space (b) A close-up of the stele of the buttercup root. Note the solid core of vascular tissues. Fig. 6-4b, p. 116 Comparing Monocot and Eudicot • Monocot roots often have a pith in the center of the root • • In herbaceous eudicot roots, xylem and phloem form a solid mass in center of root Monocot roots lack a vascular cambium • Do not have secondary growth Monocot Root Monocot Root Greenbrier Epidermis Cortex Stele Fig. 6-8a, p. 121 Endodermis Pericycle Phloem Vascular tissues Xylem Pith Fig. 6-8b, p. 121 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3 • Trace the pathway of water from the soil through the various root tissues Water Movement 1 • In a primary eudicot root, water moves from soil into center of root: • • Root hair → epidermis → cortex (symplast or apoplast pathway) → endodermis → pericycle → xylem of root Water is transported upward through root xylem into stem xylem and rest of plant KEY TERMS • SYMPLAST • • A continuum consisting of the cytoplasm of many plant cells, connected from one cell to the next by plasmodesmata APOPLAST • A continuum consisting of the interconnected, porous plant cell walls, along which water moves freely Symplast and Apoplast Movement upward Endodermis Xylem vessels Casparian strip Cortex Epidermis Symplast: interconnected cytoplasm of living cells Phloem Pericycle cells Plasma membrane Plasmodesma Cell wall Apoplast: interconnected cell-wall spaces Water and dissolved nutrient minerals Root hair Fig. 6-6, p. 119 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4 • Describe several roots that are modified to perform unusual functions KEY TERMS • PROP ROOT • • An adventitious root that arises from the stem and provides additional support for the plant CONTRACTILE ROOT • A specialized root, often found on bulbs or corms, that contracts and pulls the plant to a desirable depth in the soil Prop Roots Contractile Roots Corm Contractile roots (a) Plants that produce corms or bulbs often have contractile roots that lose much of their length as root cells shorten and broaden. Fig. 6-13a, p. 124 Contractile roots Fig. 6-13b, p. 124 KEY TERMS • PNEUMATOPHORE • • A specialized aerial root produced by certain trees living in swampy habitats May facilitate gas exchange between the atmosphere and submerged roots Pneumatophores Other Modified Roots 1 • Buttress roots • • • Swollen bases or braces that hold trees upright Aid in extensive distribution of shallow roots Found in some tropical rainforest trees Buttress Roots Other Modified Roots 2 • Suckers • • • Aboveground stems that develop from adventitious buds on the roots Asexual reproduction method of some roots Certain epiphytes have roots that are modified to photosynthesize Parasitic Epiphytes Juniper bark Mistletoe root Juniper wood (b) Micrograph of a parasitized juniper (Juniperus) branch, showing a mistletoe root penetrating the wood (secondary xylem) of the juniper. Fig. 6-12b, p. 123 LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5 • Discuss the significance of roots to humans Important Foods • Roots which store the products of photosynthesis are important sources of food for human consumption • Some roots are used as flavorings • Example: root beer flavoring (dried greenbrier roots) Root Crops • Predominantly taproots • • carrots, beets, sugar beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, radishes Some fibrous roots • sweet potatoes, cassava KEY TERMS • MYCORRHIZA • • A mutually beneficial association between a fungus and a root that helps the plant absorb essential minerals from the soil NODULE • A small swelling on the root of a leguminous plant in which beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium) live Mycorrhizae Sheath of fungal hyphae encircles root Fungal hypha between plant cells (a) Cross section of root showing ectomycorrhizae, fungal associations that form a sheath around the root. The fungal hyphae penetrate the root between cortical cells but do not enter the cells. Fig. 6-14a, p. 124 Fungal hyphae within plant cortical cells (b) Cells of a root cortex showing endomycorrhizae, fungal associations in which the fungal hyphae penetrate root cells of the cortex to aid in delivering and receiving nutrients. Endomycorrhizae colonize roots of most vascular plant species. Fig. 6-14b, p. 124 Animation: Root Systems CLICK TO PLAY Animation: Water Absorption CLICK TO PLAY Animation: Root Functioning CLICK TO PLAY Animation: Root Crosssection Root CLICK TO PLAY