Root cap

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Root tip magnified 100×. 1. Meristem 2. Columellae (statocytes with statolithes) 3. Lateral part of the tip 4. Dead cells 5. Elongation zone

The root cap is a type of tissue at the tip of a plant

calyptra. Root caps contain statocytes which are involved in gravity perception in plants.[1] If the cap is carefully removed the root will grow randomly. The root cap protects the growing tip in plants.[1] It secretes mucilage to ease the movement of the root through soil,[1] and may also be involved in communication with the soil microbiota.[1]

The purpose of the root cap is to enable downward growth of the root, with the root cap covering the sensitive tissue in the root.[2] Thanks to the presence of statocytes, the root cap enables geoperception or gravitropism. This allows the plant to grow downwards (with gravity) or upwards (against gravity).[3]

The root cap is absent in some parasitic plants

aquatic plants, in which a sac-like structure called the root pocket may form instead.[5]
: 2–76 

References

  1. ^
    PMID 11326045
    .
  2. ISBN 9780521316118
    .
  3. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.09.009
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1-4067-1634-4
    .
  5. ISBN 978-8-1713-3896-2
    .


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