Plant roots

Overview

The root is typically the part of the plant that grows into the soil, helping to anchor the plant down. However, the plant root can be aerial in waterlogged soil, allowing the plant to breathe. The plant root also helps with the uptake of water and minerals.

Parts of the plant root

The root hairs is a thin hairlike structure growing from the epidermal cell. These help with the absorption of moisture and nutrients from the soil. Xylem Phloem Pericycle Endodermis Apical meristem Root cap

Citations

Gyssels, G., et al. “Impact of Plant Roots on the Resistance of Soils to Erosion by Water: a Review.” Progress in Physical Geography, vol. 29, no. 2, 2005, pp. 189–217. Cannon, William Austin. “A Tentative Classification of Root Systems.” Ecology, vol. 30, no. 4, 1 Oct. 1949, pp. 542–548.