Consider the possibility that we discover a gene that regulates both the amount of root hairs and where root hairs grow on a root tip. Since the surface area provided by root hairs is so critical to their uptake of water and nutrients, expanding their growth area seems a great advantage. However, which of these might be a problem?
A) Growth of root hairs in the zone of cell division would interfere with root cell proliferation.
B) Growth of root hairs in the root cap would cause them to be shredded off since this area takes substantial abrasion.
C) Growth of root hairs in the zone of elongation would cause them to be shredded off as they anchored in soil and the root lengthened.
D) All of these choices pose a problem.
D) All of these choices pose a problem.