General Botany: Internal and External Plant Parts

Root Functions

• The principle functions of roots in a plant are to absorb water and nutrients, anchor the plant in the soil, and store food.

Meristematic Zone

• The main function of the meristematic zone in roots is to produce new cells through cell division.

Zone of Maturation

• In the zone of maturation, cells become specific tissues like epidermis, cortex, or vascular tissue.
• The epidermis, cortex, and vascular tissue are formed in this zone.

Root Hairs

• The role of root hairs in a plant is to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
• The primary function of root hairs is to absorb water and nutrients, not to anchor the plant in the soil.

Outermost Layer of the Root

• The outermost layer of the root is the epidermis, and its primary function is to absorb water and nutrients.

Zone of Elongation

• The primary function of the zone of elongation in roots is where cells increase in size and push the root through the soil.

Plant Parts

• The vegetative parts of a plant are roots, stems, and leaves.
• Flowers, fruits, and seeds are not vegetative parts of a plant.

Growing Points

• Meristematic cells are a specialized group of cells in plants that represent the growing points.

Plant Processes

• Plant reactions such as cell division, photosynthesis, and respiration occur at the tissue level.