Field Notes Journal a personal natural history of place

III.5 Examination of Root Structure

Aim

To observe the internal structure of a plant root.

Specimen & Apparatus

Onion root or young seedling root
Sharp blade or razor
Slide and coverslip
Water
Compound microscope

Method

Cut a thin transverse section of the root.
Place the section on a slide in a drop of water.
Apply a coverslip carefully.
Examine under low power to observe overall structure.
Increase magnification to study finer detail.

Observations to Make

Arrangement of tissues within the root.
Differences between outer and inner regions.
Shape and organisation of cells.
Presence of any central structures.