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Learning objective: Students should recognize the root and know its types and its functions.

ROOT

Roots are the important underground part of plants. Roots perform several functions:
i. It fixes the plant firmly to the soil.
ii. It absorbs the water and minerals from the soil and provides them to the different
parts of the plant through the stem.
iii. The roots of some plants store food. Hence, they become thick and swollen and can
be eaten as vegetables.
E.g.: Carrot, Radish, beet root, etc.
Types of root
Roots are of two types –
a) Tap root: It is a long thick root that grows from the end of the stem with many small
roots growing from the main root. Plants such as beet root, turnip, carrot, parsley,
dandelion have a tap root.

b) Fibrous root: It is a bunch of thread-like roots that grow out from the end of the stem.
It looks bushy and are almost of the same size. The main root is not present in fibrous
root.E.g.: grass, wheat, rice, marigold, white clover, maize, banana, millet, bamboo
and onion.

Learning outcome: Students understood the functions of roots and types of roots.