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The Radicle is the embryonic root of the plant which further develops into the root. It grows downward into the soil. The radicle absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc. and transports them to the different parts of the plant.
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Keyterms: Radicle, Root, Plant, Soil, Nutrients, Minerals, Water, Calcium, Embryo, Embryonic root, Antitropous, Syntropous
Radicle
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The embryonic root of the plant which develops into the root of the plant is called a radicle. The radicle is the foremost part of the embryo which grows into a root. The embryonic root grows deep into the soil and absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc.
The radicle is divided into two categories on the basis of the direction of the plant’s growth and development. The two categories are Antitropous and Syntropous. Antitropous is the growth of radicles away from the helium of the seed. Syntropous is the growth of radicles towards the helium of the seed.
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Features of Radicle
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- The colour of the radicle is white.
- Radicle is the first part of the embryo which grows into the root of a new plant
- Radicle is positively geotropism because it moves towards the soil.
- Radicle moves towards the moisture due to which it is positively hydrotropic.
- Radicle grows away from the sunlight that is why it is negatively phototropic.
- Radicle is found inside the seed of the plant embryo.
- The radicle is developed first from the micropyle of the seed which developed during the germination of the seed.
- The radicle is divided into two parts on the basis of the direction of the plant’s growth and development. The two parts are Antitropous and Syntropous.
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Functions of Radicle
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- Radical absorbs the water from the soil which is required for the development of the plant.
- The embryonic root (radicle) grows deep into the soil and absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc.
- Radicle absorbs nutrients and water and transports to the leaves for the process of photosynthesis.
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Difference between Radicle and Plumule
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A typical dicotyledonous embryo consists of an embryonal axis and two cotyledons. The portion of the embryonal axis above the level of cotyledons is the epicotyl, which terminates with the plumule or stem tip. The cylindrical portion below the level of cotyledons is hypocotyl that terminates at its lower end in the radicle or root tip. The root tip is covered with a root cap.
Plumule
The part of the embryo which grows into a shoot after the process of seed germination is called plumule. Plumule has a bud-like structure and is a small portion of the plant. It gives rise to the leaves and in a plant which gives rise to leaves, branches, flowers and seeds.
| Basis | Radicle | Plumule |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The embryonic root of the plant which develops into the root of the plant is called a radicle | The part of the embryo which grows into a shoot after the process of seed germination is called plumule. |
| Growth Direction | Radicle grows downwards into the soil. | Plumule grows upwards in the air. |
| Colour | The colour of the radicle is white. | The colour of the plumule is white. |
| Consequence | Radicle is the first part of the seed. | Plumule grows after the radicle has grown. |
| Development | Radicle develops into the root. | Plumule grows into the shoot. |
| Phototrophic | Radicle is negative Phototrophic. | Plumule is positive phototrophic. |
| Hypertrophic | Radicle is positive hypertrophic | Plumle is negative hypertrophic |
| Geotropic | Radicle is a positive geotropic | Plume is a negative geotropic |
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Things to Remember
- The radicle grows deep into the soil and absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc.
- Radicle absorbs and transports the nutrients and water to the leaves for the process of photosynthesis.
- Radicles are white in colour.
- Radicle is the foremost part of the embryonic to grow into a root.
- Radicle is positively geotropism because it moves towards the soil.
- Radicle is positively hydrotropic because it moves towards moisture.
- Radicle is negatively phototropic because it grows away from sunlight.
- Antitropous is the growth of radicles away from the helium of the seed.
- Syntropous is the growth of radicles towards the helium of the seed.
Important Questions
Ques: What is a radicle? (2 Marks)
Ans: The embryonic root of the plant which develops into the root of the plant is called a radicle. Radicle is the foremost part of the embryonic to grow into a root. The embryonic root grows deep into the soil and absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc.
Ques: What are the features of radicle? (2 Marks)
Ans: The main features of radicle are:
- The colour of the radicle is white.
- Radicle is the foremost part of the embryonic to grow into a root.
- Radicle moves towards the soil and is thus positively geotropism.
- Radicle moves towards the moisture and is thus positively hydrotropic.
- Radicle grows away from the sunlight and is thus negatively phototropic.
- Radicle is found inside the seed in the plant embryo.
Ques: What is a plumule? (2 Marks)
Ans: The part of the embryo which grows into a shoot after the process of seed germination is called plumule. Plumule has a bud-like structure and is a small portion of the plant. It gives rise to first true leaves and in a plant which gives rise to leaves, branches, flowers and seeds.
Ques: What are the main functions of radicle? (2 Marks)
Ans: The main functions of radicle are:
- The embryonic root (radicle) grows deep into the soil and absorbs all the necessary nutrients like minerals, water, calcium, etc.
- Radicle absorbs nutrients and water and transports to the leaves to start photosynthesis
Ques: i) Explain the structure of maize grain with the help of a diagram
ii) Why cannot we use the term maize seeds for maize grains? (All India 2010, 4 Marks)
Ans: (i) In the grass family (Example- Maize), the fruit is single-seeded and the seed is fused to form the husk. There is a layer of cells known as the aleurone layer below the husk which stores proteins.
The large endosperm stores the starch. The embryo is present on one side of the endosperm which includes a single cotyledon called scutellum & embryonal axis. The region of the embryonal axis that points downward from point of attachment of cotyledons is a radicle. It is covered by a protective sheath called coleorhiza.
The region of the embryonal axis that points upward is plumule. The plumule is covered by a foliaceous sheath called coleoptile
(ii) The maize grain can not be termed as seed because the seed is not completely developed from the embryo but retains a part of the endosperm.
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