Meristems

Introduction

• Meristems are crucial regions in plants that contain unspecialised cells capable of cell division.
• They give rise to cells with the potential to become various specialised cell types.

Location of Meristems

• Meristems are found in specific parts of the plant, including:
  • Tip of roots
  • Tip of shoots
  • Between the xylem and phloem tissue

Continual Growth in Plants

• Unlike animals that stop growing once they reach adulthood, plants continue to grow in height and width throughout their lives.

Roles of Meristems

1. Root Tips

• Meristems at the tips of roots provide a continuous supply of new cells.
• These cells enable the roots to grow longer, allowing plants to access water and nutrients from deeper soil layers.

2. Shoot Tips

• Meristems at the tips of shoots allow plants to grow taller and spread wider.
• This ensures that plants can capture sunlight efficiently for photosynthesis.

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Meristems

3. Between Xylem and Phloem

• Meristems located between the xylem and phloem tissues contribute to the increase in plant width.
• These regions are responsible for the formation of annual growth rings in trees.