Question

Give reasons: Why do root hairs become flaccid when too many chemical fertilizers are added to the moist soil around the plant.

Answer 1

Root hairs

1. The hair-like outgrowths of a plant root are known as root hairs.
2. They are epidermis tubular extensions that significantly expand the root's surface area.
3. This improves the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Effect on root hairs because of excess addition of chemical fertilizers to soil:

1. When too much fertilizer is applied to wet soil, the concentration of solutes rises in the solution and water begins to flow out from the root hairs.
2. A hypertonic solution is formed, which causes protoplasm to shrink and the plasma membrane to move away from the cell wall.
3. As a result, the root hairs lose their elasticity and become flaccid or limp.