Question

Differentiate between Coleoptile and coleorhiza.

Answer 1

In their sheaths, Coleoptile and Coleorhiza are mainly distinct. They occur prior to seed germination within the seed.

Complete Answer:
- Two forms of sheaths that grow from the monocot seed are coleoptile and coleorhiza. The defensive sheath of a monocot seed, covering the plumule or shoot tip, is coleoptile. In addition, coleoptile develops to a certain extent with the plumula.
- Within it, the flag leaves penetrate the coleoptile top and begin their growth. In addition, there are two vascular bundles of coleoptile on each side.
- Since it does not grow much chlorophyll, so it is pale in colour. In addition, there are anthocyanin pigments in some coleoptiles, due to which they are purple in colour. In the monocot seed, coleorhiza is a sheath-like framework.
- Generally, it encircles the radicle.In addition, it binds the primary root with the coleoptile. After it just emerges from the seed, it stops its growth. It does not, however, come out but persists within the soil.

| Coleoptile| Coleorhiza
---|---|---
Protective sheath covers | Conical protective sheath shielding the plumule-enclosing young tip in grass| Undifferentiated sheath covers the radicle and protects the germination grass's roots.
Type of Sheath| A protective sheath is a coleoptile| An undifferentiated sheath is a coleorhiza.
Present below/within the soil| It emerges from the soil and turns green.| Within the soil, coleorhiza remains.

Note: They are similar in two ways and that is they both are sheaths that cover the shoot and the root in the germinating monocot seed and they both occur within the seed.