Meristematic Tissues

Definition Of Meristematic Tissue

Meristematic tissues differentiate into any other type of specialised plant cell throughout the life of the plant. At this stage, the cells are undifferentiated and hence very important for continuous growth and development. They thus enable plants to regenerate new tissues.

The living cell type in plants that is most critical to growth is meristematic tissue. It is the tissue where new cells are generated, cells that eventually become the organs and structures of the plant. They cause the increase in height of the plant, the production of roots and shoots, and environmental response through continued cell new production for growth and repair.

Characteristics of Meristematic Tissues

The details are given below:

High Cell Division Rate

Tissues are meristematic due to their high mitotic activities, enabling high, sustainable rates of cell division and proliferation. This continuous division is of basic requirement for plant growth and development in the formation of new tissues.

Dense Cytoplasm

Meristematic cells have dense cytoplasm that is rich in organelles performing metabolic activities for cell division and differentiation.

Prominent Nuclei

In meristematic kind of cells, the nuclei are prominent and may even occupy a disproportionately larger part of the cell's interior. This is an indication of the high transcriptional activity associated with frequent cell division.

Small Vacuoles

The vacuoles of the meristematic cells are small in size compared to the mature plant cells. This could help quick growth and division of vacuoles, which are otherwise impossible if large vacuoles are present in these cells.

Thin Cell Walls

These are the cell walls found in meristematic tissues. They are quite thin and flexible. This character permits a cell to elongate and expand within the course of growth. It is responsible for the results of various other plant tissues.

Types Of Meristematic Tissues

The details are given below:

Apical Meristem

Found at the tips of roots and shoots, apical meristems are responsible for the primary growth of the plant, which consequently increases the length of the plant.

Primary tissues are those tissues, found in a plant, that are the products of the apical meristems in a plant; they include the epidermis, the outer protective covering of the plant; the cortex, the region between the vascular and epidermal tissue.

Lateral Meristem

Exclusively including the vascular cambium and cork cambium, the lateral meristems contribute to secondary growth, an addition to the plant body in thickness or girth.

The vascular cambium adds layers of secondary xylem. The cork cambium gives rise to the periderm, which replaces the epidermis in older regions of stems and roots.

Intercalary Meristem

These meristems are situated at the nodes of grasses and other monocots. They are primarily associated with the regrowth and elongation, of damaged plant tissues.

They add to the length of roots, stems, and leaves; in grasses, intercalary meristems are responsible in part for the remarkable growth and regrowth of corresponding plant parts.

Functions Of Meristematic Tissues

The details are given below:

Cell Division And Differentiation

The meristematic tissues play a major role in the division process of the cell and its further differentiation into different lines for the formation of different tissues and organs. This competence to produce a diversity of cell types underlies the development and adaptation of the plant.

Primary Growth

The activity of the apical meristems yields primary growth, resulting in the elongation of roots and shoots. Such type of growth is important for the plant to search for better areas with resources and light.

Secondary Growth

Lateral meristems are involved in secondary growth, which increases the diameter of the plant and makes it robust. It is the process by which woody tissue is created, giving additional support so that plants can get bigger.

Healing And Regeneration

Wounded or damaged parts necessitate healing and regeneration of the lost or damaged parts. This is efficiently brought up by meristematic tissue which can produce new cells at the most rapid rate and will consequently lead the plant to recover from injuries and adapt to the changes in the physical environment.

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