University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.

1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory

Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

EXERCISE 3

THE ROOT

INTRODUCTION

The three main roles of the roots to the plant is to absorb nutrients, store food, and support

the plant. In this exercise, the students observed some plant specimens on a morphological aspect

and some prepared slides for the anatomical aspects. Here, the root systems, root modifications

were observed to give the students the understanding of how the root functions and how is it

essential to a plant.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this exercise is for the students to be able to identify the different root types,

systems, and modification. In addition, the parts of the roots must be well recognized, as well as

the difference of the roots in monocots and the roots in dicots.

PROCEDURE

The students brought plant samples with their roots to the class for everyone to observe the

appearance of the roots. In this way, they will be able to point out the root structures and root

systems. Prepared slides were also observed under the microscope. All in all, 15 plant roots and

three (3) prepared slides were observed. The following plants were observed:

A. PLANT SPECIMENS

1. Zea mays (corn) 4. Daucus carota (carrots) 7. Paspalum conjugatum

2. Raphanus sativus 5. Eleusine indica (carabao grass)

(radish) (goosegrass) 8. Bryophyllum pinnata

3. Pachyrhizus erosus 6. Orchidaceae (orchid (katakataka)

(singkamas) plant)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

9. Ipomoea batatas 11. Dioscorea alata (ube) 14. Roots of Rhizophora sp.

(kamote) 12. Opuntia sp. (prickly (mangrove)

10. Saccharrum officinale pear cactus) 15. Euphorbia hirta (Tawa-

(sugarcane) 13. Antigonun leptopus tawa

(cadena de amor)

B. PREPARED SLIDES

1. Ranunculus root (buttercup) c.s.

2. Zea mays root (corn) c.s.

3. Allium cepa l.s. (onion)

DATA AND RESULTS

I. MORPHOLOGY OF THE ROOT

A.

Figure 1 (“Corn”, C. M. Ocamb, Oregon State University, 2002) Figure 2 (Illustration of Radish root)

Zea mays (corn) has a fibrous root system.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

B.

Figure 2 (Radish) Figure 2.1 (Illustration of Radish root)

Raphanus sativus (radish) has a taproot system.

C.

Figure 3 (Singkamas) Figure 3.1 (Illustration of Singkamas root)

Pachyrhizus sativus (singkamas) has a taproot system.

D.

Figure 4 (Carrot) Figure 4.1 (Illustration of Carrot root)

Daucus carota (carrots) has a taproot system.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

E.

Figure 5 (Goosegrass) Figure 5.1 (Illustration of Goosegrass root)

Eleusine indica (goosegrass) has a fibrous root system.

F.

Figure 6 (Orchid) Figure 6.1 (Illustration of Goosegrass root)

Orchidaceae (orchid) has an adventitious root system.

G.

Figure 7 (Carabao grass) Figure 7.1 (Illustration of Carabao grass root

Paspalum conjugatum (carabao grass) has a fibrous root system.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

H.

Figure 8 (Katakataka) Figure 8.1 (Illustration of Katakataka root)

Bryophyllum pinnata (katakataka) has a taproot system.

I.

Figure 9 (Kamote) Figure 9.1 (Illustration of Kamote root)

Ipomoea batatas (kamote) has a fibrous root sytem.

J.

Figure 10 (Sugarcane) Figure 10.1 (Illustration of Sugarcane root)

Saccharum officinale (sugarcane) has a fibrous root system.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

K.

Figure 11 (Ube) Figure 11.1 (Illustration of Ube root)

Dioscorea alata (ube) has a fibrous root system.

L.

Figure 12 (Prickly pear cactus) Figure 12.1 (Illustration of Prickly pear cactus root)

Opuntia s.p. (prickly pear cactus) has a taproot system.

M.

Figure 13 (Cadena de amor) Figure 13.1 (Illustration of Cadena de amor root)

Antigonium leptopus (cadena de amor) has a taproot system.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

N.

Figure 14 (“Mangrove”, Florida Atlantic University, 2018) Figure 14.1 (Illustration of Mangrove root)

Rhizopora s.p.(mangrove) has an adventitious root system.

O.

Figure 15 (Tawa-tawa) Figure 15.1 (Illustration of Tawa-tawa root)

Euphoria hirta (tawa tawa) has a taproot system.

II. TABLE 1. ROOTS AND ROOT SYSTEMS OF SOME ANGIOSPERMS

Scientific Name Monocot or Type of root Modification (if Function(s)

Dicot system any)
Zea mays (corn) Monocot Fibrous Brace roots Mechanical
support
Raphanus sativus Dicot Taproot Fusiform Storage for
(radish) food
Pachyrhizus Dicot Taproot Napiform Storage of food
erosus (singkamas)
Daucus carota Dicot Taproot Conical Storage of food
(carrots)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Eleusine indica Monocot Fibrous None None

(goosegrass)
Orchidaceae Monocot Adventitious Aerial roots Absorption of
(Orchid plant) nutrients and
moisture
Paspalum Monoot Fibrous None None
conjugatum
(carabao grass)
Bryophyllum Dicot Taproot None None
pinnata
(katakataka)
Ipomoea batatas Dicot Fibrous Tuberous roots For storage
(kamote)
Saccharrum Monocot Fibrous Stilt roots 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 Mechanical
leptopus (cadena support
de amor)
Absorbs
Root nodules nitrogen for the
plant’s growth
Rhizophora sp. Dicot Adventitious Pneumatophores Aids in
(mangrove) respiration
process
Euphorbia hirta Dicot Tapeworm None None
(tawa-tawa)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

III. ANATOMY OF THE ROOT

1. HERBACEOUS DICOT

Figure 16 (Anatomy of Ranunculus (buttercup) c.s. in 40x magnification)

Figure 16.1 (Anatomy of Ranunculus (buttercup) c.s. in 10x magnification)

Figure 16.2 (Illustration of Ranunculus (buttercup) c.s.)

2. MONOCOT

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Figure 17 (Anatomy of Zea mays (corn) c.s, in 10x magnification)

Figure 17.1 (Illustration of Zea mays (corn) c.s.)

3. THE ROOT TIP

Figure 18 (Anatomy of Allium cepa (onion) l.s. in 10x magnification)

Figure 18.1 (Illustration of Allium cepa (onion) l.s.)

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

DISCUSSION

ZEA MAYS (corn)

The Zea mays (corn) appeared to have nodal roots, which originate from the lower
stem nodes of the plant. The roots present above the ground are called brace roots. Brace roots
function as the plant’s support, preventing it from falling. Brace roots go into the soil and
strategically positions itself at an angle that can brace the plant from falling over. It also absorbs
water and nutrients for the plant.
ORCHIDACEAE (orchid)
The dermal tissue system and the apical meristem was seen inside the root of the
Orchidaceae (orchid). The dermal tissue covers and protects the tissues (soft) of a plant while the
apical meristem is responsible for initiating the growth of new cells to produce more root tissues
for the plant.
ANATOMY OF THE ROOT

Xylem, Phloem, Pericycle, and Procambium belong to the Vascular tissue system.
Cortex, Endodermis, and Pith are part of the Ground tissue system while the Epidermis, Root cap
are part of the Dermal Tissue system. The Protoderm, Ground meristem, and Apical meristem are
Meristematic tissues.

STUDY QUESTIONS-ANSWERS

The root system that is best adapted for anchorage is the taproot system. It is best
adapted for the reason that its structure is ideal for anchorage and it can reach the soil deeply. If I
were to pick the most advantageous root system for a plant, it would really depend on the
environment or the type of soil that a plant is going to be in, or even depends on a plant’s needs.
A taproot is best for being an anchorage of the plant, and its roots can be modified into fusiform,
napiform, conical, and tuberous roots. As fibrous root keeps a plant in place since it has may fibers
spreading around the plant and can be modified into pneumatophores or respiratory roots. An
adventitious root is best for plants to survive in flooding and can be modified into nodules,
moniliform and annulated roots.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

To differentiate a monocot root from a dicot root, if we look at it from a cellular

perspective, monocots have a pith while dicots do not. In addition, a monocot is likely to be fibrous
while dicots are taproots. Monocots are slender and diffuse in appearance because of their root
system being fibrous. A group of slender, roots grows from the base of the radicle and plumule;
they are shallow and spread horizontally, thus diffusing.
The root cap mainly protects the root as it grows. It originated from the root apical
meristem. Root hairs are produced by epidermal tissues. These root hairs absorb water and
nutrients for the plant. The Endodermal cells are different from others because its primary cell
walls are thick. On their cell walls, they deposit Casparian strips, which directs water and other
liquids inside the plant to go through the plasma membranes of endodermal cells. The pericycle
is important as it helps with the transportation of water and nutrients by enveloping the cylindrical
bundles, where the xylem and phloem can be found. Therefore, it protects, and supports the plant.

CONCLUSION

The roots keep the plant in the soil, where it can grow and interact with the environment.

By getting to observe plant specimens and prepared slides, knowing the root systems and

modifications of a plant gives a better understanding on how it survives and thrives. There was

also a good comprehension on how monocot roots are different from dicot roots, may it be from a

morphological level or an anatomical level. The exercise was very knowledgeable and enjoyable

at the same time since the students got to observe and familiarize themselves with some plant

specimens.

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

SERRANO, SHARA B. BOT 111.1 JK