Final answer:
The root cap is the structure that protects the young root tip as it pushes through soil, safeguarding the meristem and facilitating movement through the soil by providing lubrication. It is located at the very tip of the root and is constantly renewed due to damage from soil particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the root that protects the young root tip as it pushes through soil particles is known as the root cap. This structure is unique to roots and serves multiple functions: it protects the meristem—responsible for the growth of the root—against injury and provides lubrication for the growing root, facilitating its movement through the soil.
The root cap is a continuous layer of protective cells that covers the tip of the growing root and due to its protective role, it is often worn away and continuously replaced as the root pushes through hard soil.
The root cap is situated at the very tip of the root, followed by the zone of cell division comprised of actively dividing cells called the root meristem. Beyond this area lies the zone of elongation, where cells grow in length, thus elongating the root.
Finally, there's the zone of maturation and differentiation, where cells specialize into different types functioning collectively for the growth and nutrition absorption of the plant.