Question

During the formation of the primary plant body, the specific regions of the apical meristem produces (a) Dermal tissues (b) Ground tissues (c) Vascular tissues (d) All of these

Short answer

(d) All of these

Step-by-step solution

Understanding of Apical Meristem

The apical meristem is a growth region located at the tips of roots and in the buds of shoots. It helps in the primary vertical growth of a plant, giving rise to organs like roots, stems, and leaves. Its main role is to start the formation of new cells which divide to form different tissues.

Identifying the Tissues Produced

Dermal tissue is the protective outer coating of the plant and is made up of dermal cells. Ground tissue forms the bulk of the primary plant body and fills the space between the dermal and vascular tissues. It's primarily responsible for photosynthesis, storage, and support. Vascular tissues are responsible for the transport of substances between different parts of the plant.

Recognizing the Role of Apical Meristem in Tissue Formation

During primary growth, the specific regions of apical meristem differentiate to give rise to all three types of tissues, dermal, ground, and vascular tissues. So all these tissues are indeed formed from the apical meristem.

Key concepts

Primary Plant Body

The primary plant body is the initial structure that forms when a plant begins to grow. Imagine this as the foundational framework of a plant, consisting mainly of its root, stem, and leaves. However, it’s more than just a simple structure.
It's where the main growth action happens, thanks to the apical meristem. The apical meristem is like the plant's growth headquarters, found at the tips of roots and shoots. It generates new cells that eventually become various tissues.
This growth is the plant’s way of reaching upwards towards the sunlight and downwards into the soil for nutrients. As a result, the primary plant body is essential for the plant's survival and adaptation to its environment.

Dermal Tissues

Dermal tissues are comparable to the skin of a plant. They serve as a protective shield, covering the surface of the plant and defending against environmental threats like pathogens and physical damage.

• Composed of epidermal cells, dermal tissues help to minimize water loss through a waxy cuticle layer.
• They also have specialized cells such as guard cells that facilitate gas exchange through tiny openings called stomata.

Overall, these tissues form the plant’s first line of defense, helping it maintain survival against external elements.

Ground Tissues

Ground tissues are the 'stuffing' inside a plant, filling the space between dermal and vascular tissues.
They are incredibly vital, supporting various functions within the plant. Their functions include:

• Photosynthesis: Ground tissues contain chloroplasts, the site of photosynthesis, where light energy is converted into chemical energy.
• Storage: They store nutrients and water, especially useful when external resources are sparse.
• Support: These tissues provide structural stability, helping the plant maintain its shape and withstand environmental stresses.

Ground tissues thus contribute to the overall functionality and resilience of the primary plant body.

Vascular Tissues

Vascular tissues act as the plant’s transportation system, distributing water, nutrients, and energy products throughout the plant. They are critical in connecting the plant body, ensuring everything reaches where it needs to be.

• The two main types of vascular tissues are xylem and phloem.
• Xylem carries water and soluble minerals up from the roots to the rest of the plant.
• Phloem distributes the sugars and other metabolic products produced during photosynthesis.

Thanks to this system, all parts of the plant can function harmoniously as a whole, supporting growth and reproduction.