🌱 Morphology of Flowering Plants – Root System & Modifications | NEET 2025 Botany

Preparing for NEET 2025 Botany? Then you cannot ignore the morphology of flowering plants, especially the root system and its modifications. Roots are not only responsible for absorbing water and minerals but also perform several special functions that NEET frequently tests. Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible so you can master this topic without confusion.

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📌 The Root System: An Overview

Every flowering plant has a root system that anchors the plant in the soil and helps in water absorption. The root system begins from the radicle of the embryo. Depending on the type of plant, there are two major kinds of root systems:

1. Tap Root System

Develops from the radicle.

Found in dicot plants (e.g., mustard, mango).

Has one main root called the primary root, with branches known as secondary roots.

Deeply penetrates the soil, making it efficient for water absorption.

2. Fibrous Root System

Found in monocots (e.g., wheat, rice, maize).

Primary root is short-lived and replaced by many thin, thread-like roots.

Spreads horizontally in the upper layer of soil.

Useful for preventing soil erosion.

3. Adventitious Root System

Roots that develop from other plant parts like stems or leaves instead of the radicle.

Seen in monocots and some dicots (e.g., maize prop roots, banyan tree roots).

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📌 Root Regions (Structure of Root)

Every root has four main regions:

1. Root Cap – A protective covering at the tip.

2. Meristematic Zone – Cells divide actively here.

3. Elongation Zone – Cells elongate to increase root length.

4. Maturation Zone – Root hairs arise here for absorption.

👉 NEET often asks MCQs on which region root hairs appear. (Answer: Zone of Maturation).

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📌 Root Modifications

Roots are not always limited to absorption and anchorage. They may modify to perform special functions like storage, support, and respiration.

1. Storage Roots

Store food and nutrients.

Examples:

Carrot, Radish, Turnip – Tap roots modified to store food.

Sweet Potato – Adventitious root modification.

2. Respiratory Roots

Help plants breathe in marshy/swampy soils.

Roots grow vertically upwards (negatively geotropic) and have pores called pneumatophores.

Example: Mangroves (Rhizophora, Avicennia).

3. Supportive Roots

Give mechanical support to plants.

Types:

Prop Roots – From branches, hanging down (e.g., Banyan tree).

Stilt Roots – From lower nodes of stem, entering soil obliquely (e.g., Maize, Sugarcane).

4. Parasitic Roots

Roots penetrate the host plant and absorb nutrients.

Example: Cuscuta (Amarbel).

5. Reproductive Roots

Roots that help in vegetative propagation.

Example: Dahlia, Sweet Potato.

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📌 NEET Exam Tips for Root System

Always remember:

Tap root = dicots.

Fibrous root = monocots.

Storage root examples are most frequently asked in NEET.

Questions on pneumatophores in mangroves are also very common.

Root modifications like prop roots of Banyan and stilt roots of maize are NEET favorites.

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📌 Quick Revision Notes

Tap root system: Dicots, deep anchorage.

Fibrous root system: Monocots, prevents erosion.

Adventitious root system: Arises from stem/leaves.

Root modifications: Storage, respiration, support, parasitism, reproduction.

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✅ Conclusion

Roots are the hidden heroes of plants. For NEET aspirants, mastering the root system and its modifications can make the difference between a correct and wrong answer in the exam. Keep diagrams in mind, revise examples frequently, and practice NEET PYQs for this chapter.