3 more sunflower root questions *PLEASE HELP*?

Question

ok....i have 3 more questions on sunflower roots please help me

1.what is the purpose of the root?

2.what color is the root

3.how do they look? ( diagaram if you can find one!)

Answer 1

By "sunflower" do you  mean Helianthus annuus?

If that's the case, it's a dicot-type taproot. Big main root, with lots of little root hairs and secondary roots branching from it. The root hairs are the things that do the primary nutrient and water absorbing, because of their high surface area. Sometimes these roots can be associated with mychorrizal fungi to enhance nutrient and water uptake, but i'm not sure if this particular species does.

They're usually a pale white/tan/brown color - NOT green, because roots usually don't photosynthesize.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taproot

That's a typical dicot taproot. The dandelion (taraxacum) on the page is in the same family as helianthus, so it wouldn't suprise me if they were largely superficially similiar.