Unit 3 Botany Flashcards
(150 cards)
Explain absorption
Absorbs water, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc.
What are the three major functions of roots?
Absorption, storage, anchorage.
Anchorage
Holds in place, keeps it from falling over and blowing away and stuff.
Storage
Stores carbs.
What’s the purpose of keeping carbs underground?
It keeps the food stores safe from predators and in a stable temperature.
How much of the plant is underground?
Roughly 1/3
How deeply can roots penetrate?
Between 10-100 feet!
Food storage roots
Fleshy and thick for storing carbs needed in next season. Ex: sweet potatoes, beats, turnips, radishes.
Adventitious roots
Roots that develop from the stem. There are three specific types.
Three types of adventitious roots?
Prop roots, buttress roots, and aerial roots.
Prop roots
Roots found near the base of stem to provide additional support, like on corn.
Buttress roots
Roots found in tropical areas which are very large. Help plants found in areas with thin soil, like a ficus.
Aerial roots
Roots that emerge above ground from branches. They directly support the weight of large branches. Ex:banyan tree
Pneumatophor
Roots that grow from the soil upward into the air. There are lenticels found on them, and spongy, air filled tissue, both of which are used for gas exchange.
Ex:mangrove trees
Contractile roots
Pull the plant deeper into the soil until stable temperatures are met.
Ex: lily, tulip, and dandelion.
Parasitic root
Roots that invade another plants vascular system and steal their nutrients and sugars
Ex: mistletoe, dadder
What are three ways humans use roots?
Food, spices, medicine/drugs
Biennial
Complete life cycle in two seasons
Biennial root crops examples
Carrot, beet, turnip, radish
Non-biennial crop examples
Sweet potatoes, yams, casava
Examples of root spices
Licorice, sarsaparilla, sassafras
Types of root medicine/drug
Ginseng, gentian, ipecac
Radicle
Embryonic root, located in the seed. Develops the first root after germination. Grows downwards into the soil and matures.
What does the radicle eventually become?
The primary root.