Pharmaceutical Botany With Taxonomy (PBOT111)
1st Semester (SY 2025 - 2026)
MODULE 6 - Plant Structure And Functions
Roots Types of Roots Based on Origin
- Cylindrical structures that are usually
located underneath the surface of the Primary Roots
soil. - First root formed.
- Non green, underground, geotropic,
photophobic, hydrotopic. Secondary Roots
- Do not bear buds. - Roots arising from primary roots.
- Do not bear nodes and internodes.
- Have unicellular root hair. Tertiary Roots
- Roots arising from the secondary
Types of Roots roots.
- Rootlets.
Root System
- Entire mass of underground roots Adventitious Roots
produced by a plant. - Roots which arise from the plant
structures other than roots.
Taproot System
- Strongly developed main root which Regions of the Roots
grows downwards, bears lateral roots
much smaller than itself. Root Cap
- The radicle enlarges to form a - Terminal structure.
prominent taproot that persists - Thimble shaped region that protects
throughout the life of the plant. the growing tip of the root.
- Progressively smaller branch roots
grow from the taproot. Meristematic or Enbryonic
- Common in dicots and conifers. - Contains apical meristem where cells
- Some store large reserves of food. are actively dividing.
- Reaching deep water in the ground. - Where the primary meristems are
formed.
Fibrous System - Very small and thin walled.
- Same size that develops from the end
of the stem, with smaller lateral roots Elongation or Enlargement
branching off of them. - Cells increase in length, which results
- Most monocots. in the growth or increase in the length
- The radicle is short lived and replaced of the roots.
by a mass of adventitious roots, which
are roots that form on organs other Maturation or Differentiation
than roots. - Cells have attained their final
- Very extensive and cling tenaciously structural characteristics.
to soil particles.
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy 1
College of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Botany With Taxonomy (PBOT111)
1st Semester (SY 2025 - 2026)
Root Anatomy Root Anatomy
Regions of the Root From the Tip to the Stele or Vascular Cylinder or Inner
Root Hair Zone - Derived from procambium and which
forms the central core of the root.
Monocot
- Root hair zone Stele or Vascular Cylinder
- Zone of primary permanent tissue
- No secondary tissues present Pericycle
- Monocots do not have cambia - Single layer of parenchyma which
persists as a type of meristematic
Dicot tissue involved in the formation of
- Root hair zone lateral roots and other plants.
- Zone of primary permanent tissue
- Cells are derived from apical Primary Xylem
meristem. - Central mass or core of xylem
- Zone of secondary tissues elements with several radiating arms.
- Derived from the cambia
Primary Phloem
Cross Sectional Regions - Patches between the rays or radial
arms of the primary xylem.
Epidermis or Outer
- Single layer of cells derived from Vascular Cambium
protoderm which covers and protects - Meristem cells between the primary
the inner root. xylem and the primary phloem.
Cortex or Middle Groups of Tissues That Enter to the TIssue
- Derived from the ground meristem. Composition of the Old Dicot Roots
Outer Zone Secondary Vascular Tissue
- Thick layer consisting of several - Secondary Xylem
layers of parenchyma. - Secondary Phloem
- Vascular Cambium
Inner Zone
- Single layer of thick walled cells. Periderm
- Endodermis consists of thin walled - Phellogen or Cork Cambium
bands like thick around cells on their - Phellem or Cork
radial and transverse walls. - Phelloderm or Secondary Parenchyma
- Casparian root contains suberin.
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy 2
College of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Botany With Taxonomy (PBOT111)
1st Semester (SY 2025 - 2026)
Root Adaption Modified or Specialized
Functions
Bulbous Root
- Store starch. Napiform Roots
- Become swollen and spherical at the
Aerial and Props Root upper end and tapered like a thread at
- Forms above ground roots that provide their lower end.
additional support.
Tuberous Roots
Tap Root - Do not have regular shape and get
- For food storage. swollen and fleshy at any portion of
the roots.
Epiphytic Roots
- Enable a plant to grow on another Nodulated Roots
plant. - Formed on the branches of roots by
nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Functions of Roots
Tuberous Root
1. Anchorage - When food is stored, they become
2. Absorption swollen and form a bunch.
3. Conduction
4. Storage Fasciculate Roots
5. Reproduction - Arise in bunches from the lower node
6. Photosynthesis of the stem and become fleshy.
Modified or Specialized Nodulose Roots
- The tips of roots swell up.
Functions
Beaded or Moniliform
Storage - Root swells up like a bead at diff
- Thickened roots that contain a large places after a regular interval.
amount of stored food or water to
survive cold or dry season. Annulated
- Having a series of ring like swelling.
Fusiform Roots
- Thicker in the middle and tapered on Stilt or Brace Roots
both ends. - Aerial roots arising from the main
- Both hypocotyl and root help in stem, which penetrate the ground.
storage of food.
Prop or Pillar Roots
Conical Root - Aerial root arising from the branches
- Thicker at their upper side and taper at that penetrate the ground.
the basal end.
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College of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Botany With Taxonomy (PBOT111)
1st Semester (SY 2025 - 2026)
Modified or Specialized
Functions
Buttress Roots
- Plant-like extensions from the lower
part of the stem.
Climbing or Clinging Roots
- Arising from nodes attach themselves
to some support and climb over it.
Foliar or Epiphyllous Roots
- When roots arise from a leaf.
Sucking, Haustorial, Parasitic Roots
- Are adventitious parasitic roots.
- Common in flowering plants.
Assimilatory Roots
- Aerial roots of tinospora and
submerged roots of trapa.
Hygroscopic Roots
- Found in epiphytes.
- Help in absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere using special tissue
called velamen.
Contractile Roots
- Shrink 60 - 70% of the original length
and bring the underground organ at
proper depth in the soil.
Root Thorns
- Hard, thick,and pointed thorns.
- Fleshy adventitious roots used for
vegetative reproduction.
- One leaf of each nodes modifies into a
root like structure for balancing the
plant in water.
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College of Pharmacy