Final answer:
Roots help prevent leaching of essential nutrients through their ability to absorb water and minerals, anchor the plant, and store food.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roots help prevent leaching of essential nutrients by performing several functions. First, the thin-walled epidermal cells and root hairs on the roots are well-suited to absorb water and dissolved minerals from the soil. These root hairs greatly increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Second, the anchoring function of roots helps prevent the soil from being washed away, preserving the nutrients within. Lastly, food storage in the ground tissues of roots allows plants to store nutrients for future use.