In plants, the radicle, or the embryonic root, is the first part to emerge from the seed. It shoots down into the ground and begins taking up nutrients and water from the soil. The radicle of a dicot plant develops into the root of the plant. More specifically, the root of a dicot is known as a tap root. Tap root systems have a long and deep primary root, with smaller secondary root growths laterally branching off of the primary root.