Question

Why does the root grow randomly if the root cap is removed?

Answer 1

Normaly it grows downward because of gravity. If root cap is removed, the plant cant sense the gravity
but why will it grow randomly? Wouldnt it just grow is a direction that it is favoured?

Answer 2

Hm..just to clarify - what do you mean by "favoured" direction? My understanding is that without the statocytes to sense gravity, the apical meristem would grow in whatever direction it is guided towards. What I mean is - it would no longer weave around obstacles - I'm speculating here, but I illustrated what I mean here:

On the left, the root grows down, hits an obstacle, and is redirected (the angle of redirection has been vastly exaggerated in my drawing). On the right, the root has an intact root cap, so the statocytes are cnostantly relaying information to the apical meristem to cause it to divide in such a way that the root continues to travel downwards.

Answer 3

The circles being rocks in the soil or some other obstacle.