Concept of Roots

CONCEPT OF ROOTS, STEMS AND FLOWERS IN PLANTS 1. Explain the functions of plants a) Root The main function of roots is to: • Strengthens the standing of plant stems. • Absorbs water and minerals from the soil. • To store food reserves in root crops. While the roots are divided into 2 based on shape: - Tap root Taproot plants have a main root, which is one root that grows from the stem into the ground so it is strong and does not collapse easily. The main root will branch into small root sections. Examples of plants that have tap roots are mango, guava, orange, rambutan, mahogany and many more. - Fiber roots In one tree, there are many fibrous roots and each root is almost the same size. Examples of plants that have roots, such as rice, corn, banana, turmeric, ginger, coconut. b) Stem While the stem has the main function: • As a support for the plant body so that the plant can stand upright. • As a place for plant leaves, flowers and seeds to rest. • Transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. • Plays a role in the process of transporting food substances from the leaves to all parts of the plant. However, stems also have additional functions in some plants such as sugar cane and sago. An additional function of the stem is as a food reserve. c) Leaves And, leaves play an important role in plants because they have the main functions, namely: • Food kitchen, leaves are useful as a plant kitchen. In the leaves the food cooking process occurs. This food is used by plants to continue their life processes and if stored. • As a means of breathing. On the surface of the leaves there are tools that help plants breathe, namely through the part of the leaf called the leaf mouth (stomata). Leaves take carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen into the air. Leaves are also divided into several types based on shape: a. Pinnate The veins of this type have an arrangement like fish fins, arranged neatly from the petiole to the tip of the leaf blade. Examples of plants that have pinnate bones are the leaves of guava, mango and rambutan. b. Fingering The bones of the leaves are shaped like the fingers of a human hand. For example, papaya leaf bones, castor oil, cassava, and cotton. c. Curved Curved leaf veins are shaped like curved lines. The ends look fused, for example betel leaves, water hyacinth, and gadung. d. Parallel Parallel leaf veins are shaped like parallel lines. Each end of the leaf bone is fused. For example, sugar cane leaves, rice and all types of grass. 2. Explain the meaning of weeds, taproots and fibrous roots a. Definition of Weeds Weeds are a type of nuisance plant whose presence is undesirable because it can reduce the yields that can be achieved by production plants. Weeds can compete with plants for water, nutrients, light, air and growing space. Therefore, weeds around the plants must be cleaned/uprooted. These weeds must be removed by the roots so that they do not easily grow again around other plants. Roots originate from root growth points in embryonal tissue. If there are no roots, the plant will have difficulty living. There are two types of root systems in plants that you should know as follows. b. Tap root Taproots are usually found in dicotyledonous plants. Its function is as a place to store food reserves such as carrots and other types of tubers. The tap root is a type of institutional root that will continuously grow into a main root and will branch again into smaller roots. These branch roots include necks, fibers, stems, hairs and root caps. The tap root grows and develops from the institutional root, namely the prospective root (radicle) which is located at the tip of the sprout (hypocotyl). There are several types of tap roots, namely unbranched tap roots which have a small number of branches and are shaped like spears, threads to gangsing and branched tap roots which have relatively many branches and can be found in plants with double pieces. c. Fiber Roots Fiber roots consist of various kinds of roots and are relatively the same size and form hair, fibers and root caps. The function of fibrous roots is to support monocot plants so that they can grow firmly, although they are not as strong as the tap root. Taproots are usually found in monocotyledonous or monocotyledonous plants. Fiber roots originate from reduced primary roots, therefore fibrous roots grow at the node of the stem. Fiber roots also have various types of roots such as thread fiber roots, large fibers and mine fibers. 3. Explain the concept of roots in plants Plants are one of the living creatures that all have organs. The main organs in plants are roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruit. Each of these organs has its own function to support plant life. One of the organs that will be discussed in this question is the root. Roots are the main organ of plants located underground, with their main function being to absorb water and nutrients which will later be transported to the leaves via the xylem transport bundles. Apart from that, roots can also have other functions, such as food reserves, respiratory roots, and hanging roots. Roots are one of the main organs in plants, which are multicellular tissues with the main function of absorbing water and nutrients from the growth medium (soil or other media) and will then be transferred to the leaves via the xylem transport bundles. Root properties include: - Is a part of the plant that is generally located in the soil and the direction of growth is towards the center of the earth and to water sources. - It has no segments and no nodes, no scales and no support for leaf growth. - The color is not green, generally tends to be white or yellowish. Experiencing continuous growth at the tips, although not as large as the growth of the stem. - Generally pointed in shape so it is easier to penetrate the ground. In general, the root system is divided into two, namely: a) Tap root. The tap root is a root system characterized by institutional roots that grow into primary roots. The tap root system consists of large roots and is equipped with root branches. The groups of plants that have this root system are dicotyledonous plants and open seed plants (gymnosperms). b) Fiber Roots. Fiber roots are a root system characterized by institutional roots that grow into primary roots, then these primary roots form many branches that tend to be the same size. This root branch does not experience enlargement, while the primary root will shrink. The group of plants that have this root system are dicotyledonous plants. In general, roots function to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. However, roots can also undergo differentiation and have other functions to support plant growth. One of the functions of roots that will be discussed is as a storage place for food reserves. Food substances in the form of carbohydrates can be stored in the roots. This substance will be used by plants as a food reserve when the plant flowers. For plants that store food reserves in the roots, such as carrots and radishes, these plants will be harvested before they reach the flowering period. Because if the flowering period passes, the plant is no longer useful because its food reserves have run out. Humans need these food reserves to be utilized. 4. Explain several types of plants that undergo stem modification The stem is a very important part of plant anatomy where it rests and grows. The stem consists of segments, nodes, leaves, buds and axils. Stems have several functions, including: - Able to support plant parts that are above the ground. - The stem has branches to expand the assimilation section. - As a way for the process of transporting food substances. As a place for food reserves. One of the functions of the stem above is as a place for food reserves, so that the stem will change shape so that its shape is different compared to the shape of stems in general. Stems whose shape has changed are called stems that have undergone modification. The types of stems that undergo modification are a. Lapis tubers are tubers that are formed from a pile (base) of tightly arranged leaves. Example: red onions. b. Rhizoma is a stem that grows horizontally below the soil surface. Can be fleshy, woody, and have segments and nodes. Example: ginger. c. Geragih (runner) is a stem that grows above the ground surface that connects two or more clumps. d. Kormus is a swollen stem that grows in the ground and is covered with dry leaves that resemble scales. e. Tuber stems are stems that experience swelling due to the need for organs to store food reserves. Example: potatoes. Plants whose stems undergo modifications are: 1) Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger is a plant that has stems that become fluffy and underground, called rhizomes. Rhizomes grow underground for vegetative (non-mating) reproduction. Ginger rhizomes contain chemical compounds that are used as medicine or cooking spices. 2) Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Potatoes undergo stem modification to form stem tubers. The stems of potatoes are used to store food in the form of carbohydrates, so they can be used when conditions are dry. 3) Shallots (Allium cepa) Shallots have modified stems in the form of layered bulbs. Red onion stems are soft and layered. This modification of the stem is used to store food. The onion bulbs are used as a kitchen spice. Ginger, potatoes and shallots are said to be stems because their stems grow in the ground. The stem swells to form a tuber as a place to store food reserves (starch). On the surface of the stem there are indentations called buds. 5. Explain the structure and concept of flowers in plants Flowers are one of the most important organs in plants because they are the reproductive organs in plants. Flowers are not basic organs but are the result of modification (change in shape) of the main organs, namely stems and leaves whose shape, arrangement and color have been adapted to their function as a means of reproduction in plants. If we look more closely at the base of the flower and the flower stalk, this part is a modification of the stem, while the petals and crown of the flower are modifications of the leaves whose shape and color have changed. Some will still have characteristics like leaves, while others will experience changes by forming parts that play a role in the reproductive process. Flower petals are the part of the flower that still retains the characteristics of the leaves. Flower petals function to protect flower buds before the flowers bloom. Flower crowns usually have more attractive colors and shapes compared to flower petals. Therefore, the flower crown plays a role in attracting insects and other pollination agents. The stamens act as the male reproductive organ in flowers. The stamens consist of an anther for the development of pollen (male gametophyte) and a stalk called a filament (anther stalk). The pistil acts as a female reproductive organ in flowers. The pistil consists of a stigma which usually has a sticky surface for pollen to stick to. The pistil also has a channel called the pistil. This channel leads to the ovary which is located at the base of the flower which contains the ovary containing the egg cells (female gametophyte).