6. Describe the functions of meristem, xylem and phioem. Functions of Meristematic Tissue
Answers
Answer:
The functions of meristem :
APICAL
Present at the tip (growing region) of the plant’s stem and root.
It helps the plant to grow in length.
INTERCALARY
Present at the base of the leaves or internodes on twigs
LATERAL
It helps to increase the girth (thickness) of stem and root in the plants
The function of Xylem :
Most of the cells are dead and have thick walls.
Xylem is the water conducting element (transportation of water) which also provides mechanical strength to the plant.
The function of Phloem :
Phloem is the food conducting element (transportation of food).
The material (food) can move in both the directions (i.e. toward the root and shoot) because phloem transports food from leaves to other parts of the plant.
The function of Merismatic Tissue :
The cells of meristematic tissue have the power of division, which means these are the dividing tissues of the plant.
In meristematic tissues, the cells are highly active, have dense cytoplasm, large nucleus, thin cellulose walls and vacuole smaller in size or may be absent.
The new cells produced by meristematic cells are initially like meristem but later on maturation they differentiate into other tissues.
Meristematic tissue are made up of cells that have to capacity to divide and re-generate.
Explaination
Meristems are two types
Apical meristem- responsible for increase the height in longitudinal.
Lateral meristems- are responsible for increase the girth of the plants.
Intercalary meristems- are found in grasses.They regenerate the grass which is eaten by animals.
Xylem are responsible for transportation of water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant.
Flow in xylem unidirectional from bottom to top.
Phloem responsible for transportation of food from leaves to other parts of plant.
Flow in phloem is multidirectional.