Difference between rhizome and root.

Although the words "root" and "rhizome" have a common root (forgive the tautology!), There are several fundamental differences in the biological content of these terms.

Definition

Rhizome - it is a modified shoot, in most cases located underground.

Root is a vegetative organ of a plant with a number of unique functions and qualities.

Comparison

Rhizome is one of the shoots of a higher plant, which is in a modified state and is located shallow underground or on the border of soil and atmosphere. Its main function is to store nutrients. But under favorable conditions, it can become the epicenter of vegetative reproduction of a plant organism, that is, it can be suitable for reproduction.

Iris rhizome

Initially, the rhizome contains leaves, apical and axillary buds, but they die off early. The rhizome is equipped with adventitious roots, which are involved in supplying the plant with water and minerals dissolved in it.

The root is the key organ of higher plants. It is located in the Earth, has a positive geotropism. Capable of unlimited growth deep into the earth's surface.

There are no leaves or buds on the root, no chloroplasts are found in its cells, it is not capable of photosynthesis.

The root performs a number of functions without which the life of a plant is impossible: it anchors the plant in the soil, is the main organ for the absorption and delivery of water with minerals dissolved in it to the plant organism.

The root is able to store nutrients in its body. With its help, the plant can vegetatively propagate and enters into symbiosis with fungi and microorganisms in the soil.

Conclusions TheDifference.ru

  1. Root is a key organ of higher plants. Individual plants have rhizomes.
  2. The rhizome has buds and leaves, but on the root such formations are absent in principle.
  3. Some of the cells of the rhizome contain or once had chloroplasts. Root and chloroplasts are a priori incompatible concepts.
  4. The functions of the root make this organ vital to the plant, in contrast to the rhizome.
.