Meristem: The Crucial Plant Tissue for Growth and Cell Production

meristem

Undifferentiated plant tissue from which new cells are formed (growth)

Meristem refers to a specialized type of plant tissue that is responsible for producing new cells through cell division. The cells produced by the meristematic tissue are called meristematic cells, which eventually differentiate into various types of plant tissue and organs. They are undifferentiated cells that are constantly dividing and contributing to the growth and development of the plant.

Meristems are found at the tips of roots, stems, and branches, as well as in the cambium layer, which is a thin layer of cells between the bark and wood of a tree. There are two types of meristems, primary and secondary meristems. Primary meristems are responsible for the primary growth of a plant, which includes elongation of the stem and roots. Secondary meristems, such as the cambium layer, are responsible for the secondary growth of a plant, which adds more girth or thickness to the stem and branches.

Meristematic cells are small, with large nuclei and little cytoplasm, and they divide rapidly. Once a meristematic cell divides, one of the resulting cells remains meristematic, while the other becomes a more specialized cell type. This process of differentiation is important for the development and function of all plant tissues and organs.

In summary, meristem is an essential tissue for plant growth and development, responsible for producing new cells and contributing to the differentiation of various types of plant tissue and organs.

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