Question

Meristematic tissues are composed of (a) mature cells (b) fully differentiated cell (c) cells that cannot divide (d) immature cells with power to divide.

Short answer

Meristematic tissues are composed of (d) immature cells with the power to divide.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Meristematic Tissues

Recognize that meristematic tissues are regions in plants where cells undergo active division. These tissues are responsible for the growth of plants in specific areas like roots, stems, and leaves. Meristematic cells are generally small, undifferentiated, and capable of continuous division.

Identifying Characteristics of Meristematic Cells

Identify that meristematic cells are not mature since they are still capable of dividing. This means that they cannot be fully differentiated or mature cells, as those have already reached their final state and usually don't divide.

Selection of the Correct Answer

Choose the option that best fits the description of meristematic cells. Considering the characteristics of meristematic tissues, it is clear that they are composed of immature cells with the power to divide.

Key concepts

Plant Growth

Plant growth is an essential feature of plant life, where the organism increases in size and girth over time. This process is fundamentally different from animal growth. In plants, growth occurs at specific regions known as meristems, which are clusters of undifferentiated cells capable of rapid cell division.

There are two types of growth in plants: primary and secondary. Primary growth, responsible for the increase in length, takes place in the apical meristems located at the tips of roots and shoots. Secondary growth, associated with an increase in thickness, occurs in lateral meristems like the vascular cambium and the cork cambium.

Meristematic tissues play a pivotal role in plant growth. These tissues contain actively dividing cells that contribute to the formation of new organs (such as leaves and flowers) and the elongation of stems and roots, facilitating the plant's expansion into new soil and sunlight areas.

Cell Division

Cell division is a fundamental process that allows plants to grow and reproduce. In plants, the primary mode of cell division is through a process called mitosis, during which a single cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells.

In meristematic tissues, cell division is a continuous process allowing for the growth of the plant. During mitosis, the plant cell's genetic material is duplicated and then divided into two new nuclei. Following this, cytokinesis takes place, where the cell's cytoplasm divides, forming two separate cells.

Mitosis in plants follows similar stages to that in animals: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. However, plant cells have cell walls that require a cell plate to form during cytokinesis, making the process slightly different from animal cell division. The ability of meristematic cells to divide gives rise to new cells which can then differentiate into various cell types needed for the plant's development.

Plant Anatomy

Plant anatomy refers to the study of the internal structure and organization of plants. A fundamental understanding of plant anatomy is crucial for grasping how plants grow, develop, and adapt to their environment. The plant body consists of three main organs: roots, stems, and leaves, all of which are composed of various tissues serving different functions.

Meristematic tissue is just one of a few tissue types in plants. These undifferentiated cells are involved in active cell division, leading to growth. Other tissue types include dermal tissue which serves as a protective layer, vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars, and ground tissue which fills the space between the dermal and vascular tissues.

In the context of meristematic tissue, they are usually found at the apices of roots and stems (apical meristems) and in a continuous layer beneath the bark (the cambium) of trees where secondary growth takes place. Understanding the anatomical interplay of these tissues helps explain how plants manage to transport nutrients, grow vertically and expand their girth.