Difference between Root and StemA typical flowering plant comprises a shoot system which remains above the ground and an underground root system. The shoot system, which originates from the plumule of the embryo in a seed, comprises stem, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits with seeds. The root system, which originates from the radical of the embryo, develops into a primary root. Let us see how a stem differs from a root! Stem:The stem is the part of the plant which remains above the ground and arises from the plumule of the embryo present in a seed. A stem is generally green, at least when it is young and is differentiated into nodes and internodes. The buds, leaf, branches and bracts develop from the nodes. A stem is generally positive phototropic (grows towards a source of light); negative hydrotropic (tends to move away from the water) and negatively geotropic (grows against the gravity). The stems generally have multicellular hairs that help prevent evaporation of water from its surface. Branches on a stem grow in a regular fashion from the axillary buds and they are exogenous, i.e. branches arise from outer layers. Basic Functions of a Stem:
Root:Root is the descending or underground part of a plant that arises from the radical of the embryo in a seed. However, it may also arise from any other part of a plant. It is generally non-green and lacks nodes and internodes. Roots are positively geotropic (grows towards gravity), positively hydrotropic (tends to grow towards the water), and may be neutral or negatively phototropic (grow away from a light source). The tip of a root has a root cap which protects the root apical meristem as it penetrates the soil. The root hairs are always unicellular and are restricted to a specific area near the root tip. They help absorb water from the soil. Basic functions of a root:
Based on the above information, some of the key differences between stem and root are as follows:
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