Question

What is meant by modification of root? What types of modifications of the root is found in a) banyan tree b) turnip c) mangrove trees

Answer 1

Hint: Plants are grown from the seed which is buried inside the soil. The first structures to develop are the rootlets which will provide them nutrition. Later the other parts develop. These roots are sometimes edible while some just provide nutrition and support.

Complete answer:
Plants have two main parts- roots and shoots. Root form the underground part of the plant while the shoot is the upper part of the plant.
Roots majorly function to hold the plant firmly. It provides water and nutrients to the plant via upward transportation.
The shoot has the major function of supporting a backbone to the leaves, flowers and also to transport the materials from root to leaves and vice-versa.
There are two types of the root system in the plants- tap root system and fibrous root system. If the root performs other functions than transporting water and minerals, it is called a modification in the roots.
Some roots will start to work as storage sites for food. They can support massive plants. They can also absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. They can perform nitrogen fixation.
The various modifications found in plants are as follows –
A) Banyan tree- This is a huge tree, with the scientific name as Ficus benghalensis. They have pillar-like adventitious roots. These roots will grow to provide support to the huge tree. The growth of roots is towards the ground. They are called prop roots.
b) Turnip – Brassica rape is the turnip which has roots for the storage of food. They can also be found in carrots, radishes etc.
c) Mangrove trees- The roots of this massive tree grow vertically upwards. They will absorb oxygen from the atmosphere as the soil is not well aerated. This kind of roots is called pneumatophores.

Note: The roots above the ground are called aerial roots. There can be a symbiont relationship between roots and fungi called mycorrhiza. Huge trees need to have a very strong root system. The roots can usually grow in any direction.