Root hair - Konmou

These hairs are found near the tip of the root and are formed when part of the epidermal cells protrude. Roots absorb water and inorganic salts from the soil, but most of this is done through root hairs, which lack a cuticle and have thin cell walls. A large number of root hairs significantly increase the surface area of ​​the root, improving absorption efficiency. Root hairs appear as projections a short distance from the tip of the root where elongation growth has ended, and the tips of the projections grow and penetrate into the soil. Root hairs are short-lived, and usually lose their function within a few days, dying one after the other.

[Eimasa Nishino]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

根の先端近くにあり、表皮細胞の一部が細く突き出してできた毛。根は土中の水や無機塩の吸収の働きをするが、その大部分はクチクラを欠き、薄い細胞壁をもつ根毛を通して行われる。多数の根毛は根の表面積を著しく増大させて吸収の能率をあげる。根毛は根の先端からすこし隔たり伸長成長の終わったところに突起として発生し、突起の先端部が成長して土中に分け入る。根毛は短命で、普通は数日でその働きを失って、順々に枯死していく。

［西野栄正］

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