Let me share with you a difference between rhizoids and roots.
| Aspect | Rhizoids | Roots |
| Present in | · Fungi · Mosses · Some non-vascular plants | · All vascular plants (higher plants) |
| Structure | Single-celled or multicellular, hair-like structures | Multicellular structures with various tissues such as epidermis, cortex, endodermis, etc. |
| Function | Anchoring the organism to a substrate, and absorbing water and nutrients | Anchoring the plant in the soil, absorbing water and nutrients, storing reserves |
| Mode of attachment | Attachment is by adhesion to the substrate | Attachment is often by penetration into the soil |
| Origin of development | Develop from the gametophyte in non-vascular plants or mycelium in fungi | Develop from the radicle (embryonic root) during seed germination in vascular plants |
| Mode of absorption | Absorb water and nutrients mainly through surface contact | Absorb water and nutrients through root hairs, aided by mycorrhizal associations |
| Growth | Typically grow continually throughout the organism’s life | Primary and secondary growth contribute to the growth of roots |