Root functions include which of the following?

• A. Anchorage, storage, absorption and conduction
• B. Photosynthesis and transpiration
• C. Support and nutrient transport in leaves
• D. Reproduction and seed dispersal

Answer: (A)

Roots provide anchorage, storage, absorption and conduction of water and nutrients. Anchorage keeps the plant stable in soil, which is especially important for plants with tall shoots. Absorption happens at the root surface, aided by root hairs that increase surface area to take up water and minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Storage occurs in many roots where carbohydrates and other resources are stored for later use, as seen in taproots and tuberous roots. Conduction moves water and dissolved minerals from the roots upward through the xylem to the rest of the plant, supplying the shoots and leaves with the resources needed for growth and photosynthesis. In contrast, photosynthesis and transpiration are primarily leaf activities; support and nutrient transport in leaves is not a root function; and reproduction and seed dispersal are carried out by flowers and fruits, not roots.