Each lateral branch has its own cap, root hairs, meristematic, elongation and mature regions. The roots in this region are covered by a protective cork layer . It also serves to anchor the plant . A diagrammatic representation of a tap root its tissue systems. The epidermis is the outer layer of the cells of the young root.
Root hairs arise from some of the epidermal cells.
The epidermis protects the underlying tissues of the root. The epidermal cells and the root hairs absorb water and dissolved ions . On the inner side of the epidermis is the cortex and in many plant types it can be subdivided into an exodermis, a central cortex and endodermis . The cell walls are thickened and contain suberin and lignin . The central cortex usually consists of thin-walled parenchyma cells with numerous intercellular spaces .