CHAPTER V 





ANATOMY STUDY OF ROOTS 



Descending axis. The descending axis, or root, is the 

 part of the plant which grows downwards, fixes it into the soil, 

 and takes from the ground water in which minerals are dissolved. 

 The root can be distinguished from the stem in the following 

 way : 



ROOT. 



1. The root produces neither 

 leaves nor buds. 



2. The root as a rule grows 

 downwards. 



3. The growing point of a 

 root is protected by a sheath 

 which is called the Boot cap. 



4. The root produces small 

 hairs, which absorb from the 

 soil the water and minerals 

 required by the plant for its 

 growth. 



5. Roots grow away from 

 the light. 



EXPT. 35. Dig up a Deadnettle and examine it. 



(i) The roots bear neither leaves nor buds. 



(ii) The stem produces both. 



(iii) The hairs on the stem, which are close set and are used to protect 

 the plants from cold currents of air and from insect pests. 



(iv) The very minute and soft hairs on the roots. These can be best 

 seen if the root be held up between the eye and the light and looked at 

 through a hand-lens. 



2 



STEM. 



1. The stem produces both 

 leaves and buds. 



2. The stem as a rule grows 

 upwards. 



3. The growing point of the 

 stem is protected by scale 

 leaves. 



4. The stem produces hairs ; 

 but these are as a rule used for 

 protection, and not for obtain- 

 ing food. 



5. Stems grow towards the 

 light. 



Note 



