Root - Regions

Description:

A typical root can be distinguished into 5 different regions −

Root Cap

• Thickened and protective cap like structures present at the tip of root apex.
• Helps in penetration of the roots into the soil.
• Protects the young growing apex of roots.
• Cells of roots secrete mucilage which lubricates the passage of roots.

Meristematic region or region of cell division

• Small region behind the root cap.
• Represents the growing point.
• Made up of actively dividing meristematic cells.
• Adds new cells and responsible for longitudinal growth.
• Region of elongation
• Lies above the meristematic zone.
• Cells present here do not divide.
• Cell elongate rapidly.

Root hair

• Tubular outgrowths.
• Most of the water absorption takes place through the root hairs.
• Each hair is a single cell.

Region of cell maturation (differentiation)

• Cells of this region undergo changes.

• The cells undergo maturation and differentiation into different types of primary tissues of the root i.e. cortex, endodermis, xylem, phloem etc.