Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the roots?

1. Absorption of nutrients and water

2. Anchorage of the plant

3. Protein production

4. Food storage

The correct answer is: Protein production

Roots serve several essential roles in plant health and growth. One of their most critical functions is the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil, providing the necessary elements for photosynthesis and overall plant development. Additionally, roots anchor the plant in the soil, giving it stability and preventing it from being uprooted by environmental factors such as wind or heavy rain. Roots can also act as storage organs, storing starches and other carbohydrates that the plant can use for energy during periods of dormancy or stress. However, roots do not produce proteins. Protein production primarily occurs in the leaves during photosynthesis, where sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water are transformed into glucose and oxygen. This process also leads to the synthesis of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, but it strictly occurs within the plant’s foliage, not in the roots. Thus, stating that protein production is a primary function of the roots is incorrect.