Question

What are the features that distinguish a stem from a root?

Answer 1

Part 1: Origin.
The roots usually originate from the radical while the shoots originate from the plumule of the embryo.

Part 2: Direction of growth.
Roots show positive geotropism as they grow towards gravity. Shoots show negative geotropism as they grow away from the gravity.

Part 3: Functional parts.
Roots usually have root hair as well as root cap. On the other hand, shoots consist of branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.

Part 4: Functions.
The main function of roots is to absorb nutrients and minerals from the soil and provide proper anchorage of the plants into soil. The main function of shoot is to provide support, conduct water, minerals and food, and bear different appendages like leaves, flowers, fruits which perform different functions. Leaves usually help in photosynthesis, flowers are the reproductive units of plants while the fruits bear seeds which are the units of perennation.

Part 5: Tabular form.
$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Criteria}& \text{Roots}& \text{Shoots}\\ \text{Origin}& \text{Radical}& \text{Plumule}\\ \text{Direction of growth}& \text{Positive geotropism}& \text{Negative geotropism}\\ & \text{(towards gravity)}& \text{(away from gravity)}\\ \text{Functional parts}& \text{Root hair, root cap}& \text{Branches, leaves,}\\ & & \text{flowers and fruits.}\\ \text{Functions}& \text{Absorption of}& \text{Provision of suppor}\\ & \text{nutrients and minerals}& \text{conduction of water,}\\ & \text{from soil, anchorage}& \text{minerals and food,}\\ & \text{of the plant.}& \text{presence of different}\\ & & \text{appendages like}\\ & & \text{leaves, flowers, fruits}\\ & & \text{perform different}\\ & & \text{functions like}\\ & & \text{photosynthesis,}\\ & & \text{reproduction and}\\ & & \text{perennation}\\ & & \text{respectively.}\end{array}$