Question

The root pockets are present instead of root caps in
A. Utricularia
B. Eichhornia
C. Hydrilla
D. Limnophila

Answer 1

Root cap is the tissue which is present at the tip of the plant. It is also called the calyptra. Root caps have statocytes. It is involved in gravity perception in the plants. This root cap will remove properly then only the root of the plant's growth occurs normally. It is used to protect the growing tip of plants. It also protects the delicate stem cells and it is used to transmit and receive the environmental signal. It is present in the apex of the root.

Complete explanation:
Option A: These types of plants lack root pockets. It has horizontal floating stems and has simple or divided leaves. It produces the small carnivores’ bladders along the stem. It is also called the insectivorous plant. It is also lacking in root hairs and endogenous branching. Option A is not correct.
Option B: Eichhornia are the aquatic plant and free floating plant. It has long dark roots. It is under the aquatic plants so the root caps are replaced by the root caps. The plant growing in the land needs root caps for protection from soil and air. But there is no need for protection in aquatic plants like Eichhornia. So the transformation of root cap to root pocket occurs. Option B is correct.
Option C: Hydrilla roots are rooted in the bed of the water body and have long stems. Branch growth is also in a horizontal manner and forms a dense mat. It has root for the fixation purpose only. Even though it is an aquatic plant, its root is submerged. So a root cap is present but they don’t need a root pocket. Option C is incorrect.
Option D: Limnophila is also a floating plant. It doesn't have root caps. Root hairs in the Limnophila are completely absent. So there is no formation of root caps to the root pocket is not occur. Option D is incorrect.

Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

Note:
In hydrophytes plants root cap is not present. In hydrophytes roots are not present or not developed properly. So that only the root cap is replaced by the root pockets. Other plants like lemna and pistia. Aquatic plants don’t need any absorption water and mineral salts. So there is no need for root. Here root caps are changed into the root pockets. In other aquatic plants roots are available only for the balancing purpose.