In Stock
Monocotyledon Root Model
Modèle de racine monocotylédone Features a high-relief transverse section displaying numerous primary xylem and phloem bundles arranged in a distinct ring, accurately representing the characteristic pith-heavy morphology of monocotyledonous taxa.
Histological Layer Differentiation utilizes color-coded, high-density polymers to distinguish between the epidermis, expansive cortex, and the specialized Casparian strips within the endodermis, enabling tactile identification of apoplastic and symplastic water transport pathways.
$113.08
Quick Answer: The Monocotyledon Root Model is an enlarged monocotyledon root model showing the internal tissues of the root of a plant such as maize or onion: the root hair layer, a wide cortex, the endodermis and a ring of many alternating xylem and phloem groups around a large pith. It is used in botany lessons on root anatomy and on how water enters a plant.
Following Water Into a Monocot Root
A useful way to teach from this model is to follow a molecule of water inward. It enters through root hairs, thin outgrowths of the outer layer, the epiblema, which enlarge the surface in contact with soil water. It then crosses the broad cortex of parenchyma, either through the cell walls and the spaces between cells, the apoplast pathway, or from cell to cell through the cytoplasm, the symplast pathway.
At the endodermis the route narrows. Each endodermal cell has a band of waterproof suberin, the Casparian strip, in its walls, so water and dissolved minerals must pass through the living cells, which lets the plant control what it takes up. In older monocot roots the endodermal walls thicken further, leaving thin-walled passage cells beside the xylem. Beyond the pericycle, water reaches the xylem, which in a monocot root forms many separate strands alternating with phloem in a ring around a large central pith. Having no cambium, monocot roots do not thicken with age; the plant instead keeps producing new adventitious roots to build a fibrous root system.
The listing does not say whether this model is a flat transverse section or a block that also shows the root surface, nor which plant it represents or its size. LabEquip also lists the T.S. monocot root model; ask which suits your practical if you are choosing between them, and use the T.S. dicot root model for comparison.
Practical and Lesson Uses
- Tracing the apoplast and symplast pathways of water uptake
- Explaining the role of the Casparian strip in selecting minerals
- Comparing monocot and dicot roots before microscope work
- Relating the fibrous root systems of grasses and cereals to soil binding
Specifications
| Model of | Root of a monocotyledonous plant, enlarged |
| Tissues typically shown | Epiblema with root hairs, cortex, endodermis, pericycle, pith |
| Vascular arrangement | Many alternating xylem and phloem groups in a ring (polyarch) |
| Topics | Water uptake, Casparian strip, fibrous root systems |
| Form, plant represented and size | Confirm at enquiry |
Care & Handling
- Rest the monocotyledon root model on its base and do not lean it against other models, which can scratch the painted section.
- Dust with a soft brush, and clean marks with a lightly damp cloth only.
- Store it with other plant anatomy models in a closed cupboard, labelled for quick retrieval before practicals.
Why Choose LabEquip
Botany and agriculture teachers use a monocot root model to explain water uptake and to prepare students for identifying root sections in practical examinations. It sits in LabEquip’s biology lab products; send questions about form and size through the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does water move from the soil into the xylem of a root?
It enters through root hairs, crosses the cortex through cell walls or from cell to cell, passes through the living cells of the endodermis and crosses the pericycle into the xylem. Root pressure and the pull of transpiration keep it moving upward.
What is the Casparian strip?
It is a band of waterproof suberin in the walls of endodermal cells. It blocks water moving through the walls, forcing it through the cell membranes so the plant can select which minerals enter the xylem.
What are passage cells?
In older monocot roots most endodermal cells develop thick walls, but some beside the xylem stay thin-walled. These passage cells still let water and minerals through into the central cylinder.
Why do monocot roots not grow thicker with age?
They have no vascular cambium, the layer that produces secondary xylem and phloem. Instead of thickening existing roots, monocots keep forming new adventitious roots from the base of the stem.
What is a fibrous root system?
It is a mass of similar-sized roots arising from the base of the stem, with no single main taproot. It is typical of monocots such as grasses, rice, wheat and maize and holds topsoil together well.
How is a monocot root different from a dicot root in section?
A monocot root has many xylem groups arranged around a large pith. A dicot root usually has between two and six xylem groups, often forming a star shape, with little or no pith.
Last Updated: September 2026
You must be logged in to post a review.
Bestsellers
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.