root cap

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The root cap is a thimblelike mass of parenchyma cells that covers and protects the growing root tip as it penetrates the soil. The root cap is pushed forward as the root tip grows longer. The cells on the periphery of the root cap are sloughed as the root cap is pushed forward and new cells are added by the apical meristem. The root cap protects the apical meristem, aids the root as it penetrates the soil, and plays an important role in controlling the response of the root to gravity (gravitropism).

Root cap
Root tip magnified 10X. 1. Meristem 2. Columelle (statocytes with statolithes) 3. Lateral part of the tip 4. Dead cells 5. Elongation zone
Scientific classification

The root cap is a section of tissue at the tip of a plant root.^[1] It is also called calyptra. Root caps contain statocytes which are involved in gravity perception in plants.^[1] If the cap is carefully removed the root will grow randomly. The root cap protects the growing tip in plants.^[1] It secretes mucilage to ease the movement of the root through soil,^[1] and may also be involved in communication with the soil microbiota.^[1]

The root cap is absent in some parasitic plants^[2]:138 and some aquatic plants, in which a sac-like structure called the root pocket may form instead.^[3]:2-76

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Raven, J.A.; Edwards, D. (2001). "Roots: evolutionary origins and biogeochemical significance". Journal of Experimental Botany 52 (90001): 381–401. doi:10.1093/jexbot/52.suppl_1.381. PMID 11326045. 
2. ^ Jeffrey, Edward Charles (2007). The Anatomy Of Woody Plants. Pomeroy, Ohio: Carpenter Press. ISBN 1-4067-1634-0. 
3. ^ Genetics: Classical to Modern By Prof. P.K. Gupta

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