Morphology of Flowering Plants: Root & Stem NCERT Notes + Practice MCQs for NEET

Welcome to Chaubey Biology Hub, your premier destination for high-quality, NCERT-aligned medical entrance preparation. We take pride in delivering content that doesn't just mirror textbooks but decodes them. This guide on Root and Stem Morphology is meticulously crafted to meet the rigorous standards of the NTA NEET-UG syllabus, focusing exclusively on the core concepts that matter most."

Before exploring the anatomical details of the Morphology of Flowering Plants: Root & Stem NCERT Notes + Practice MCQs for NEET, ensure you have reviewed our previous module on Plant Kingdom: Classification and Life Cycles to understand the evolutionary context of flowering plants (Angiosperms) in the NEET journey."

Table of Contents:

1. ​Introduction to Plant Morphology ​2. Origin of Root and The Root System: An Overview ​2.1 Tap Root System ​2.2 Fibrous Root System ​2.3 Adventitious Roots ​3. Regions of the Root (Zonation) ​3.1 Root Cap ​3.2 Region of Meristematic Activity ​3.3 Region of Elongation ​3.4 Region of Maturation & Root Hairs 4. ​The Stem System: Characteristics ​4.1 Nodes and Internodes ​4.2 Buds (Terminal & Axillary) 5.Functions of Root and Stem (NCERT Core) ​6. Summary for NEET Revision

​7. Practice MCQs: Test Your Knowledge

​Introduction to Plant Morphology

• The world of plants is a masterpiece of biological engineering.
• Plant Morphology (from the Greek words 'morphos' meaning form and 'logos' meaning study) is the branch of biology that deals with the study of the external structure, shape, and relative position of different plant organs.
• While we observe a staggering diversity in the green world—from tiny herbs to giant trees—there is an underlying structural unity that defines the Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)."

Origin of Root and Root system Overview:

• The plant embryo inside the seed contains some structures like plumule, radicle and leaf primordia. Out of these structures, the radicle is responsible for the formation of roots.
• Roots and its accessory roots collectively form a root system in plant kingdoms. There are different  types of root systems. Tap root, fibrous root  and Adventitious root system.

Tap root system : 

• In most of Dicot plants, after the germination of seed, the first root-like structure that is  originated from the radicle is called primary root.
• There are several  lateral roots that originate from the primary root, called as secondary roots, tertiary root and so on.
• These primary, secondary and tertiary roots collectively constitute the tap root system

For Example- Mustard, Radish, carrot etc. The tap root system  increases the surface area for water and mineral absorption

Do you know ? Tap root system is also found in Gymnosperm. Study about Gymnosperms: General Characteristics, Classification, and Life Cycle | NEET Biology Notes

Fibrous Root system; 

• In Monocot plants, the taproot is short lived and soon replaced by the numbers of roots.
• These large number of roots originate from the base of the stem so there are no remains of well-defined single taproot. Such root system is fibrous root system. For Example- Wheat, coconut

Feature	Tap Root System	Fibrous Root System	Adventitious Roots
Origin	Direct elongation of the Radicle.	Primary root is short-lived; replaced by roots from stem base.	Develops from parts other than the Radicle.
Found In	Mostly Dicots.	Mostly Monocots.	Both (e.g., Grass, Monstera).
Example	Mustard plant.	Wheat plant.	Banyan tree, Grass.

Adventitious Root system;

• When  roots arise from the other than radicle of plants like stem and leaves called adventitious root systems. For Example: Banyan, Grasses, Monstera etc.

Regions of the Root (Zonation)

• The root apex is not just a growing tip; it is a highly organized structure divided into four functional zones:

Root Cap:

• A thimble-like structure that protects the tender apex as it makes its way through the soil.

Region of Meristematic Activity:

• It is Located just above the root cap. Cells here are very small, thin-walled, and have dense protoplasm.
• They divide repeatedly to produce new cells.

​Pro Tip for NEET Aspirants: Morphology is best understood when you know the classification. If you haven't revised the Plant Kingdom yet, we highly recommend visiting our [Complete Plant Kingdom Hub Page] for a quick 360-degree revision.

Region of Elongation:

• The cells proximal to the meristematic zone undergo rapid elongation and enlargement.
• This region is responsible for the growth of the root in length.

​

Region of Maturation and Root hairs :

• The cells from the elongation zone gradually differentiate and mature.
• ​From this region, some of the epidermal cells form very fine, delicate, thread-like structures called Root Hairs.
• Root hairs absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Region (Zone)	Key Characteristics	Main Function
Root Cap	Thimble-like multicellular structure.	Protection of the tender root apex.
Meristematic	Small cells, thin walls, dense protoplasm.	Rapid cell division.
Elongation	Proximal to meristematic zone.	Responsible for root growth in length.
Maturation	Contains differentiated mature cells.	Formation of Root Hairs; Absorption.

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The Stem System:

• The stem is the aerial part of the stem that bears leaves, flowers and fruits.
• It develops from the plumule of embryo of germinating seed.

Nodes and Internodes :

• The stem also has two part nodes and internodes. The region from where leaves originated, called nodes. 

• The region between the two nodes is called internode. Stem is soft and green at earlier stages but turns woody and tough at older stages.

Buds (Terminal & Axillary) :

• It also assumes buds which can be terminal or axillary. Bud is an undeveloped young stem. It has a point that looks like a growing point of leaves or stem branches.

💡​​Brain Teasers

Largest bud can be seen in cabbage

Function of Root and Stem

• Roots are so important for the plant because in addition to   providing the anchorage.
• They  absorb  and transport the minerals and water  from the soil through the root hairs.
• Roots are involved to synthesis the plant growth regulator and store reserve food
• The function of the stem is - It bears leaves, flowers and fruits. It conducts water mineral and food synthesis during photosynthesis.

🎯 NEET MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

🔥 100% CHALLENGE

"Questions yahi se aayega... taiyari jeet ki!"

1.Root is originated from which part of the plant embryo ?

A. Plumule      B. Radicle

C. Cotyledon   D.Epicotyl

Answer: B  

2. Which of the following root is originated from direct elongation of radicle.

A. Lateral root 

B. Primary root 

C. Secondary root 

D. Tertiary root

Answer: B  

3. Which one the following statement is incorrect for root system of Dicot plants.

A. Direct elongation of radicle gives rise to Primary root.

B. Primary root bears saveral lateral root in form of secondary , tertiary root.

C. Primary , secondary and tertiary root collectively form Tap root system.

D. Tap root system is present in Wheat.

Answer: D  

4. Which one the following statement is incorrect for root system of Monocot plants. 

A. Primary root is short lived and replaced by large numbers of roots.

B. These large number of root are originated from the base of stem.

C. Large number of roots from stem base collectively form Fibrous root system.

D. Fibrous root system is found in Mustard.

Answer: D  

5. Which type of root is originated from other than radicle like from stem.

A. Tap root 

B. Fibrous root 

C. Adventitious root

D. Fusiform root

Answer: C  

6. Consider the following Plants with adventitious root and select correct code:

1. Grass  

2. Monstera 

3. Banyan

A. 1 and 3       B. 2 and 3 

C. 1 and 2       D. 1 , 2 and 3 

Answer: D  

7. Consider the following functions of Root and select the correct code:

1. It provide anchorage to Plants.

2. It absorbs water and minerals from soils. 

3. It synthesises plant Growth regulators.

4. Roots store reserve foods.

A.  2, 3 and 4 

B.  1, 2 and 3

C.  1, 3 and 4

D. 1, 2 , 3 and 4

Answer: D  

8. Match the List 

A. Tap root       1. Wheat

B. Fibrous root 2. Mustard

C. Adventitious 3. Monstera

    Root 

      A      B     C 

A.   1      2      3

B.   2      1      3

C.   2      3      1

D.   1      3      2

Answer: B  

9. Which part of root is covered by root cap.

A. Base of root 

B. Terminal part of root

C. Apex part of root

D. Intercalary part of root

Answer: C   

10. Which one the following statement is incorrect for Meristmatic region of root.

A. The region of Meristmatic activity is located above the few Millimeter of root cap.

B. The cells of this region are rich in cytoplasm and thin walled.

C. The cells of this region form epidermal root hair .

D. The cells of this region divide repeatedly.

Answer: C   

11. Given below are two statements and select the correct option

Statement I :  Proximal part of  Meristmatic region is called Region of Elongation.

Statement Il : cells  undergo the rapid elongation and enlargement and increase the length of root. 

A. Statement l is true and statement ll is false.

B. Statement l is false and statement ll is true.

C. Both statement I and II is true.

D. Both statement I and II is false.

Answer: C   

12. Consider the following statement and select the correct code:

1. Region of maturation of root is formed by the differentiation and maturation of cells of elongation region.

2.The epidermal cells of region of maturation form fine, hair like root hair to absorb water and minerals from the soil.

A. Only 1

B. Only 2

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C   

13. In the given Diagram, which region  causes increase in length of root.

A.D   B. C    C. A.  D. E

Answer: C  

14.Stem is originated from which part of the plant embryo ?

A. Plumule      B. Radicle

C. Cotyledon   D.Epicotyl

Answer: A  

14. Which one of the following statement is incorrect.

A. The stem is the ascending part of the stem that bears leaves, flowers and fruits.

B. The region from where leaves originated, called nodes.

C. Stem is soft and green at older stages but turns woody and tough at young stages.

D. The region between the two nodes is called internode.

Answer: C 

15. Stem bear bud which may be 

A. Axillary       

B. Terminal 

C. Axillary and terminal 

D  Axillary or terminal 

Answer:  D 

16. Consider the following  function which  is not carried by the every stem and select the correct code:

1. Photosynthesis 

2. Vegetative propagation 

3. Storage and support 

4. Conduct water and mineral.

A. 1, 2 and 3    B. 2, 3 and 4

C. 1, 3 and 4    D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:  D 

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