Root Hair Cells (CIE IGCSE Biology)

• 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