Question
Question: In many plants, the taproot becomes swollen and assumes various forms. Match the following **Pla...
In many plants, the taproot becomes swollen and assumes various forms. Match the following
| Plant | Type of root |
|---|---|
| A. Carrot | 1.Conical |
| B. Mirabilis | 2.Fusiform |
| C. Radish | 3.Napiform |
| D. Turnip | 4.Tuberous |
(a)A – 1, B – 4, C – 2, D – 3
(b)A – 2, B – 3, C – 1, D – 4
(c)A – 4, B – 1, C – 3, D – 2
(d)A – 3, B – 2, C – 1, D – 4
Solution
Taproots are the large, central, and dominant roots from which other adventitious roots sprout laterally. In some plants, they swell to store food. They may be of different shapes and forms. For example- in carrots, they taper gradually, while turnips and beets have plump roots.
Complete answer:
Roots are the parts of the plant that develop from the radicle portion of the seed. These roots can either be fibrous roots or taproots.
Taproots in many plants are swollen to store food and assume various forms such as conical, fusiform, napiform, and tuberous.
In the taproot system, there is a large central root from which other small branching root structures may develop laterally.
The shape of the taproots vary and include:
-Conical root: In this type of taproot, the root is conical in shape, i.e. widest at the top and tapers towards the bottom steadily. This is seen in Daucus carota or Carrots.
-Fusiform root: In this type of root the root is fusiform or spindle-shaped, i.e. It is the widest in the middle region and tapers towards both the top and the bottom. This is seen in Raphanus sativus or Radish.
-Napiform root: The root has a top-like appearance with a broad or plump top and tapers suddenly or abruptly like a tail at the bottom. This is seen in Brassica rapa or Turnip.
-Tuberous root: It is an enlarged fleshy root that has a primary function of storage. These are seen in Sweet potato and Mirabilis or Dahlia.
So, the correct answer is, “A – 1, B – 4, C – 2, D – 3”
Note:
-Taproots form the primary root from the radicle of a seed. Most plants start as taproots and later change to a more wide-spreading fibrous root system.
-Unlike the fibrous root system, the tap roots grow deeper into the soil and provide better anchorage.
-Due to this reason, it is difficult to transplant or grow plants with a taproot system in containers as the root grows deep rapidly.