‘Both growth and differentiation in higher plants are open’. Comment.

Both growth and differentiation in higher plants are termed “open” because they continue indefinitely throughout the plants’ lifespan

Presence of meristems (apical, intercalary, lateral) at specific sites ensures ongoing cell division

Open growth refers to continuous addition of new cells and organs (leaves, shoots, roots) as meristematic regions remain active 

Open differentiation arises as meristem-derived cells undergo specialization at various growth stages; these cells mature into diverse types (xylem, phloem, parenchyma) based on positional cues 

Modular construction: plants add new modules (branches, leaves, flowers) over time, and cell fate isn’t predetermined but influenced by location and developmental signals

Unlike animals with limited growth windows, higher plants maintain developmental plasticity, adapting structure and function in response to environment and internal signals