Root Hair Cells (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology)

Root Hair Cells

• Root hairs are single-celled extensions of epidermis cells in the root

• They grow between soil particles and absorb water and minerals from the soil

• Water enters the root hair cells by osmosis

• This happens because soil water has a higher water potential than the cytoplasm of the root hair cell

Structure of the root

• The root hair increases the surface area of the cells significantly

• This large surface area is important as it increases the rate of the absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active transport