Question

Dodder is a parasitic plant, which has roots for support and absorption of nutrients from the host plant. Determine what kind of roots these are.

Answer 1

The original roots of dodder usually die. As a parasitic plant that cannot produce its own chlorophyll, it breaks away from its root system as the roots has no apparent root cap nor apical meristems. Hence the "root" is not performing its very function of water and nutrient uptake. It then produces haustoria, a root-shaped fungi which penetrates host plant which makes the dodder parasitic.