Roots Station Lab
Roots are one of the three main organs in plants. They anchor the plant in place, absorb water and minerals, and store excess food produced through photosynthesis in the leaves or stem.
As an organ, the root is composed of tissues that work together. A mature root has three tissues: dermal, vascular, and ground tissue. The dermal tissue is found on the outside layer of the root. Root hairs are tiny projections that extend from the epidermis and are made of a single layer of epidermis cells. They increase the surface area for water and nutrient absorption. The vascular tissue is found in a central cylinder. In between these two tissues is ground tissue that makes up the cortex. The cortex contains cells that store food.
A critical function of roots is to transport water and nutrients. The vascular tissue carries out this function. There are two types of cells in vascular tissue, xylem and phloem. Xylem transports water upward and phloem transports starches produced in the leaves to cells in the cortex for storage.
As an organ, the root is composed of tissues that work together. A mature root has three tissues: dermal, vascular, and ground tissue. The dermal tissue is found on the outside layer of the root. Root hairs are tiny projections that extend from the epidermis and are made of a single layer of epidermis cells. They increase the surface area for water and nutrient absorption. The vascular tissue is found in a central cylinder. In between these two tissues is ground tissue that makes up the cortex. The cortex contains cells that store food.
A critical function of roots is to transport water and nutrients. The vascular tissue carries out this function. There are two types of cells in vascular tissue, xylem and phloem. Xylem transports water upward and phloem transports starches produced in the leaves to cells in the cortex for storage.
Instructions:
1. Title your page in your notebook “Roots”
2. Draw Figure 3, label the epidermis, root hair, xylem, phloem & vascular tissue
3. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
What is the purpose of root hairs?
1. Title your page in your notebook “Roots”
2. Draw Figure 3, label the epidermis, root hair, xylem, phloem & vascular tissue
3. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
What is the purpose of root hairs?
At the tip of each root is a small cone of cells called the root cap. The root cap protects the root as it grows and pushes downward in the soil. Behind the root cap lies the apical meristem. Cells within the apical meristem divide by mitosis, adding new cells that form into one of the three types of tissue (dermal, vascular, and ground).
Instructions:
1. Draw this picture in your notebook.
2. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
What is the importance of the root cap?
1. Draw this picture in your notebook.
2. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
What is the importance of the root cap?
Fibrous roots vs. Tap roots
In plants where no root grows larger than another, they are said to have a fibrous root system. Fibrous roots are a network of fine roots with no central dominant root. Fibrous root systems don't go as deep as taproots, but they spread laterally. Grass is an example of a fibrous root.
Some plants have primary roots that grow longer and thicker than the secondary roots. This large primary root is called a taproot. Taproots can reach far underground to reach water. Some examples of taproots are dandelions, radishes, beets and carrots
In plants where no root grows larger than another, they are said to have a fibrous root system. Fibrous roots are a network of fine roots with no central dominant root. Fibrous root systems don't go as deep as taproots, but they spread laterally. Grass is an example of a fibrous root.
Some plants have primary roots that grow longer and thicker than the secondary roots. This large primary root is called a taproot. Taproots can reach far underground to reach water. Some examples of taproots are dandelions, radishes, beets and carrots
Instructions:
1. Draw a quick sketch of a fibrous root and a taproot, be sure to label which one is which.
2. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
How is each root system designed differently to obtain water and nutrients?
1. Draw a quick sketch of a fibrous root and a taproot, be sure to label which one is which.
2. Answer the following question in a complete sentence in your notebook:
How is each root system designed differently to obtain water and nutrients?