NEET 2026
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2026
- Subject
- Biology
- Chapter
- Chapter
NEET 2026 · Biology · Chapter
Read the following anatomical features: i) Presence of unicellular...
Read the following anatomical features:
i) Presence of unicellular root hairs
ii) Endodermis with Casparian strips
iii) Large and well-developed pith
iv) Two to four xylem patches
v) Initiation of lateral roots from the pericycle
vi) Polyarch condition of vascular bundles
vii) Endarch arrangement of primary xylem
viii) Parenchymatous conjunctive tissue
Which of the above features are characteristic of a typical dicotyledonous root?
i) Presence of unicellular root hairs
ii) Endodermis with Casparian strips
iii) Large and well-developed pith
iv) Two to four xylem patches
v) Initiation of lateral roots from the pericycle
vi) Polyarch condition of vascular bundles
vii) Endarch arrangement of primary xylem
viii) Parenchymatous conjunctive tissue
Which of the above features are characteristic of a typical dicotyledonous root?
Options
- Ai, ii, iv, v, viii
- Bi, ii, iii, vi, viii
- Ci, iv, v, vii, viii
- Dii, iii, v, vi, vii
Correct answer
A. i, ii, iv, v, viii
Step-by-step solution
The anatomical features of a typical dicotyledonous root are as follows:
i) Presence of unicellular root hairs: The outermost layer is epiblema, which bears unicellular root hairs.
ii) Endodermis with Casparian strips: The endodermis consists of barrel-shaped cells with water-impermeable, waxy suberin deposition in the form of Casparian strips.
iii) Large and well-developed pith: This is a feature of monocot roots. In dicot roots, the pith is small or inconspicuous.
iv) Two to four xylem patches: Dicot roots typically exhibit a diarch to tetrarch condition (2 to 4 xylem and phloem patches).
v) Initiation of lateral roots from the pericycle: The pericycle gives rise to lateral roots and vascular cambium during secondary growth.
vi) Polyarch condition of vascular bundles: This is characteristic of monocot roots, which have more than six xylem bundles.
vii) Endarch arrangement of primary xylem: Roots have an exarch arrangement (protoxylem towards the periphery and metaxylem towards the centre). Endarch arrangement is found in stems.
viii) Parenchymatous conjunctive tissue: The parenchymatous cells lying between the xylem and phloem patches are called conjunctive tissue.
Therefore, the correct features for a dicotyledonous root are i, ii, iv, v, and viii.
Answer: i, ii, iv, v, viii
i) Presence of unicellular root hairs: The outermost layer is epiblema, which bears unicellular root hairs.
ii) Endodermis with Casparian strips: The endodermis consists of barrel-shaped cells with water-impermeable, waxy suberin deposition in the form of Casparian strips.
iii) Large and well-developed pith: This is a feature of monocot roots. In dicot roots, the pith is small or inconspicuous.
iv) Two to four xylem patches: Dicot roots typically exhibit a diarch to tetrarch condition (2 to 4 xylem and phloem patches).
v) Initiation of lateral roots from the pericycle: The pericycle gives rise to lateral roots and vascular cambium during secondary growth.
vi) Polyarch condition of vascular bundles: This is characteristic of monocot roots, which have more than six xylem bundles.
vii) Endarch arrangement of primary xylem: Roots have an exarch arrangement (protoxylem towards the periphery and metaxylem towards the centre). Endarch arrangement is found in stems.
viii) Parenchymatous conjunctive tissue: The parenchymatous cells lying between the xylem and phloem patches are called conjunctive tissue.
Therefore, the correct features for a dicotyledonous root are i, ii, iv, v, and viii.
Answer: i, ii, iv, v, viii