Question

Experiments have shown that cells of the outer cortical region of the root can participate in the formation of portions of the root cap. Please explain.

Answer 1

The roots of the plants are highly meristematic tissue in nature which suggests that the root tips are under constant mitotic division and hence, grow very fast. In this regard, it is important to note that the small roots have higher mitotic activity as compared to old roots. Since the soil might be hard deep down and hence can damage the tender root tips, nature has evolved the plant roots with a protetive root cap on their tips.

The highly mitotic and active root-tip cells of the roots are often covered with a harder layer of cells which constitute the root tip. Just below this root-tip lies the actively dividing meristematic cells. Since only the upper and terminal part of the root-tip participates in formation of root-cap, only the terminal cortical cells constitute the root-cap.