1 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Exercise No. 5: The Roots

TYPES OF ROOT AND ROOT SYSTEMS

Introduction
The root usually constitutes the underground part of the plant axis. However, some roots maybe
found also exposed to the air. They are classified according to origin. The natural aggregation or
assemblage of the roots of a plant is called the root system.

Objective
This activity aims to identify the type of root that may develop in germinating seeds and parts of
the plant other than the root or starting as a radicle; determine their root systems, and classify them
according to functions.

Materials
Germinating seeds of Phaseolus radiatus (mongo) Pandanus sp. (pandan)
Germinating seeds of Zea mays (corn) Sweitenia mahogany (mahogany)
Leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata (katakataka) Ipamoea batatas (Sweet potato)
Daucus carota (Carrot) Stem of Coleus blumei (mayana)

Procedure
Draw the plant materials and write below the drawing the type of root and root systems. The
drawing should be numbered as fig.3.1 mongo, fig. 3.2 corn, fig. 3.3 katakataka, fig. 3.5 carrot, fig. 3.6
sweet potato, fig. 3.7 pandan, and fig. 3.7 mahogany, fig. 3.8 mayana. Write the scientific name inside
the parenthesis after the common name.
A. Observe the origin of the roots in the following: germinating mongo and corn seeds, mayana stem,
katakataka leaf (appendix), carrot, sweet potato, pandan and mahogany. Determine whether, the roots are
derived from the main trunk (primary); roots arise from the primary root (secondary); or the roots grow out from
the main stem and stem cuttings, leaves and parts of the plant other than the hypocotyls or primary root
(adventitious). Identify the type of root in each plant.
B. Determine the type of root systems: taproot – when the primary roots continuous to grow and send
out lateral branches; and fibrous or diffuse – when the primary root stops growing or disappears, and numerous
adventitious roots grow and develop from the base of the stem and take the place of primary root. The extent, for,
depth and other features of the root system vary in different species and under different conditions of growth:
temperature and available moisture; soil type (sands, clays, loams, and silts); competition with other plants; and
cultural practices (plowing and root pruning).
C. The major functions of the root are absorption of water and minerals and anchorage of the plant.
Specialized performs other function which are classified according to the following: photosynthesis (leaf
function – epiphytic roots that have chlorophyll); support (stem function – large root that grow out from the main
stem-brace roots; roots that grow down from the branches and prop the up-prop roots; plate-like extensions
growing from the upper portions of the large root-buttress roots; and adhesive roots of climbing plants);
reproduction (seed function – roots that produce adventitious buds which grow into new plants) ; storage (much
thickened underground roots that store water and food); protection (roots with spiny roots) and aeration knee-
like roots (pneumatophores) that grow upward to the surface of the water to absorb moisture from the atmosphere
found in plants submerged in water. Classify all these plants root based on functions.

D. Fill out the tables.

E. Give your conclusion.
2 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Exercise No. 3
TYPES OF ROOT AND ROOT SYSTEMS

Name: __________________________________ Date:________________

Section: _________________________________ Section:______________

Figure 3.1. _______________________________________________________

Figure 3.2. ________________________________________________________

3 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Figure 3.3. _______________________________________________________

Figure 3.4. ________________________________________________________

4 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Figure 3.5. _______________________________________________________

Figure 3.6. ________________________________________________________

5 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Figure 3.7. _______________________________________________________

Figure 3.8. ________________________________________________________

Table 3.1. The different types of root and root systems that occur in mongo and corn seeds, katakataka
mature leaf and stem cuttings of mayana.
Taproot Fibrous or Diffuse
a. a.
b. b.
c. c.
d. d.

Adventitious
6 Bio 100: General Botany Laboratory

Arising from the leaf Arising from the stem

a. a.
b. b.
c. c.
d. d.

Legend: (a) Scientific Name (b) Common Name (c) Root description (d) Root classification according to function

Table 3.2. The different types of root and root systems that occur in carrot, sweet potato and fully grown
pandan and mahogany.
Taproot Fibrous or Diffuse
a. a.
b. b.
c. c.
d. d.

Adventitious
Arising from the leaf Arising from the stem
a. a.
b. b.
c. c.
d. d.

Legend: (a) Scientific Name (b) Common Name (c) Root description (d) Root classification according to function

Conclusion
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