Question

define differentiation and dedifferentiation

Answer 1

The cells derived from root apical and shoot-apical meristems and cambium differentiate and mature to perform specific functions. This act leading to maturation is termed as differentiation.During differentiation, cells under go few to major structural changes both in their cell walls and protoplasm. For example, to form a tracheary element, the cells would lose their protoplasm. They also develops a very strong, elastic, lignocellulosic secondary cell walls, to carry water to long distances even under extreme tension. Try to correlate the various anatomical features you encounter in plants to the functions theyperform.Plants show another interesting phenomenon. Theliving differentiated cells, that by now have lost the capacity to divide can regain the capacity of division under certain conditions. This phenomenon is termed as dedifferentiation .For example, formation of meristems – interfascicular cambium and cork cambium from fully differentiated parenchyma cells