Plant Organography: Roots (PDF)

MODULE 5: PLANT ORGANOGRAPHY ROOTS Ains ley C. Medina, RPh, PharmD ROOTS anchor a plant into the soil, helping it withstand the push of wind and water; absorbs the water and minerals plants need and transporting them upward into the shoot through vascular tissue; als...

MODULE 5: PLANT ORGANOGRAPHY ROOTS Ains ley C. Medina, RPh, PharmD ROOTS anchor a plant into the soil, helping it withstand the push of wind and water; absorbs the water and minerals plants need and transporting them upward into the shoot through vascular tissue; also form very important relationships with soil fungi and bacteria that help plants grow. ROOTS differs from the stem mainly by lacking leaf scars and buds, having a root cap, and having branches that originate from internal tissue rather than from buds. FIBROUS ROOT SYSTEM TYPES OF ROOT SYSTEMS Found in Monocots, where it occupies the upper level of the soil; absorbs water and nutrients quickly and helps prevent soil erosion as they anchor plants to the top layers of soil. TAPROOT TYPES OF ROOT SYSTEMS Found in Dicots, anchors the plant deeply, helping to prevent the wind from blowing them over; has modified food for storage. PRIMARY ROOTS TYPES OF ROOTS first root of a plant, originating in the embryo SECONDARY ROOTS produced on the primary root PRIMARY GROWTH TYPES OF GROWTH Begins with seed germination. When the plant embryo emerges from the seed, the radicle of the embryo forms the root system. The tip of the root is protected by the root cap, where it continuously replaced because it gets damaged easily as the root pushes through soil. PRIMARY GROWTH TYPES OF GROWTH SECONDARY GROWTH TYPES OF GROWTH Occurs in many roots and results in the thickening of the root diameter; may also have lateral roots that branch from the main tap root. FOOD STORAGE SPECIALIZED ROOTS roots are enlarged and store large quantities of starch and other carbohydrates, which may later be used for extensive growth. WATER STORAGE SPECIALIZED ROOTS used to retain water & used these water supply when the supply in the soil is inadequate. PROPAGATIVE SPECIALIZED ROOTS produces adventitious buds along the roots that grow near the surface of the ground PNEUMATOPHORES SPECIALIZED ROOTS Breathing roots to help plants that grow in very wet areas like swamps, act live snorkel tubes for plants to get oxygen AERIAL & PHOTOSYNTHETIC SPECIALIZED ROOTS can facilitate climbing and support to the plant. CONTRACTILE SPECIALIZED ROOTS pulls the plant deeper into the soil by expanding radially and contracting longitudinally  BUTTRESS SPECIALIZED ROOTS large roots on all sides of a tall or shallowly rooted tree; provides support and stability to a tree.  PARASITIC SPECIALIZED ROOTS parasitize their host plants via peg-like projections called haustoria, which develop along the stem in contact with the host (without chlorophyll and become dependent to the ones that has)  SYMBIOTIC SPECIALIZED ROOTS form a mutualistic association with plant roots. Root + Fungi = Mycorrhiza (for better Phosphorus absorption from the soil) Root + Bacteria = Rhizobia (Nitrogen fixation for protein synthesis)  MECHANISM OF WATER & NUTRIENT ABSORPTION The absorption of water and dissolved minerals occurs through the epidermis, a process greatly enhanced in most land plant via OSMOSIS  OSMOSIS Water is present in higher concentrations in the soil than within the epidermal cells; The membrane of the epidermal cells is permeable to water but not too many of the substances dissolved in the internal fluid Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological importance of the roots VALERIAN HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS an essential oil to reliever nervous afflictions, pain, coughing, and hysteria ACONITE HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS an important alkaloid present, externally used for neuralgia, rheumatism, fever, and pain RHUBARB HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS threaded on a string and dried in the sun, which are used as a tonic and laxative, and for indigestion. PODOPHYLLUM HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used as an emetic and cathartic  SENEGA HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS source of glucosidal drugs from its dried roots  SQUILLS HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used as an expectorant and stimulant  JALAP HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS fired dried roots used as a purgative IPECAC HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used to induce vomiting LICORICE HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used as a demulcent and expectorant; disguises the taste of nauseous preparation GOLDENSEAL HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used as a tonic and for treating catarrh and other inflamed mucous membranes COLCHICUM HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS tx of rheumatism & gout; now, marketed as the drug “Colchicine” GENTIAN HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS valuable tonic agent as it can be used with iron salts GINSENG HERBAL DRUGS FROM ROOTS used as stimulant and stomachic (through True Ginseng) End of Prelims! Good luck with your quizzes & examination. ☺ Stand by for your sched.