Question

Root cap has no role in water absorption because
A. It has no direct connection with the vascular system.
B. It has no cells containing chloroplast
C. It has no root hairs
D. It has loosely arranged cells

Answer 1

Hint: Root hair cells are adapted for taking up water and mineral ions by having a large surface area to increase the rate of absorption.

Complete answer:
Root cap has no role in water absorption because it has no root hairs.
The root cap is a sheath of cells that protects the meristem from abrasion and damage as the root tip grows through the soil. It is devoid of root hairs which are unicellular extensions of root epidermis or the epiblema. They increase the surface area for absorption and are involved with the absorption of water.

Additional Information:
- The root cap is also called Calyptra.
- Root caps consist of statocytes which are involved in the perception of gravity in plants. Geoperception or gravitropism allows the plant to grow downwards (with gravity) or upwards (against gravity).
- On removing the root cap, the root will grow randomly. The root cap protects the soft, tender growing tip of plants inside the soil.
- It secretes mucilage to ease the movement of the root through the soil, and may also be involved in communication with the soil microorganisms.

Note:
- A typical root consists of three different zones- the meristematic zone, the zone of elongation, and the zone of differentiation.
- The meristematic zone gives rise to the root hairs.
- Some trees like avocado, pecan, and a few gymnosperm plants are totally devoid of root hairs.