Question

what is the role of apical and lateral meristem

Answer 1

Primary or apical meristem is the tissue from which the main stem  of a plant arises while lateral meristem is the one from which the plant grows laterally. The apical meristem is also called as the growing tip and it is found in growing buds and growing roots. Lateral meristems are placed in such a way that they surround the apical meristem and hence always cause growth laterally. Lateral meristem helps the plants to increase in width and increase their diameter. Apical meristems are very small as compared to the larger lateral meristem. Apical meristems are responsible for the primary growth of the stems and roots of the plants and hence they will help increase length and height of the plant.

Primary meristems have many cells  where there is constant growth taking place. Most of the cells undergo mitosis in the apical meristem. Cells placed in the apical meristem are box like in appearance.

Apical meristem usually differentiates into three kinds of meristems. Lateral meristem differentiates into 2 types of tissues namely vascular and cork cambiums. Likewise, the apical meristem is divided into protoderm, procambium and ground meristem and it is responsible for the lengthwise growth of the plants.

Answer 2

APICAL MERISTEM:-
The apical meristem, also known as the “growing tip,” is an undifferentiatedmeristematic tissue found in the buds and growing tips of roots in plants. 

LATERAL MERISTEM :-
lateral meristem is present in plants just beneath its barks. It divides and increases girth of the plant.