Root cap

Root caps contain statocytes which are involved in gravity perception in plants.

[1] If the cap is carefully removed the root will grow randomly.

The root cap protects the growing tip in plants.

[2] Thanks to the presence of statocytes, the root cap enables geoperception or gravitropism.

[3] The root cap is absent in some parasitic plants[4]: 138  and some aquatic plants, in which a sac-like structure called the root pocket may form instead.

Root tip magnified 100×. 1. Meristem 2. Columellae ( statocytes with statolithes) 3. Lateral part of the tip 4. Dead cells 5. Elongation zone