-after division, the cells elongate (reach their final size) and mature (cell wall thickening etc.)

-the apical meristem produces the dermal, ground and vascular tissue - similar to the shoot

Without leaves and in the soil, it needs to be protected in a different way:

->the root cap is produced by the apical meristem (Scheitel-Bildungsgewebe)

->the cells produce mucilage (Schleimstoff) to protect and assist the root growing into the soil

->after some time, they are seperated from the rood and die