Question

Describe the primary structure of monocot root?

Answer 1

Monocots are the plants which are grass or grass-like angiosperms, that have only one embryonic leaf in their seeds. In the agriculture sector most of the biomass is produced by these monocots. Examples are Maize, palms, onion, pineapple, ginger, etc.

Complete answer:
Plants in which their seeds have only one embryonic leaf or cotyledon is known as monocots. Example Maize.
Root system of the monocots is as follows:
Epiblema: Outermost layer of the roots system which is single layer and thin layered. Cells of this layer are colourless, polygonal in shape and are without intercellular spaces. These cells are much tightly packed and small root hair, having single cell hairs, comes out of this layer.
Cortex: This is a multi-layered structure which acts as a storehouse for food and minerals to the plant. It contains parenchyma tissues which are live tissue help in storage, photosynthesis. These cells have intercellular spaces in-between and they are located just below the epidermis tissues.
Endodermis: This is also a part of the cortex but it is inner most part thus, can be counted separately. It acts as casparian strips which is a band of cell walls which is made up of different material then cell walls. Cell wall is generally made up of lignin and without suberin but the casparian strips are made up of suberin.
Stele: All cells which are present in endodermis are made up of stele.
Pericycle: It Is a single layered structure made up of very thin walled cells and has only lateral roots. In this layer secondary growth is not present.
Vascular bundle: These are the connective bundles of transporting tissues like xylem, phloem, etc. These tissues are separated by sclerenchymatous conjunctive tissues.
Pith: It is a central portion of the root system, which is made up of parenchyma cells along with intercellular spaces which contain starch and other food materials.
Conjunctive parenchyma: This structure lies between the vascular bundle and helps in storage of water.
This is the structure of the primary root of the monocot plants.

Note: There is small difference between monocot and dicot plants that is, Cortex is narrow in dicot and wide in monocot, Conjunctive tissues are parenchymatous in dicots and sclerenchymatous or sometimes parenchymatous in case of dicots. Pith is very small in case of dicots and large in case of monocots.