Explain types of meristems
Answers
The meristem is a type of tissue found in plants. It consists of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) capable of cell division. Cells in the meristem can develop into all the other tissues and organs that occur in plants. ... Differentiated plant cells generally cannot divide or produce cells of a different type.
Apical meristem is found at the tips of roots, stem and branches. It is responsible for the increase in the length of the plant. It is divided into three zones-protoderm, procambium and ground meristem. Protoderm gives rise to epidermal tissue, procambium gives rise to primary vascular tissues and ground meristem gives rise to cortex and pith.
(ii) Intercalary meristem is present in the nodal region and is prominently found in monocotyledons, e.g grasses. As the name indicates, it is present in between the permanent tissues. It is derived from the apical meristem and is responsible for the elongation of internodes.
(iii) The meristem that is present along the longitudinal axis of stem and root is called lateral meristem. Vascular cambium and cork cambium are examples for lateral meristem. It produces secondary permanent tissues which result in the thickening of stem and root.