Answer
Meristematic tissue is located in specific regions of plants where growth and development are actively occurring. The main locations of meristematic tissue include:
- Apical Meristems:
- Location: At the tips of roots and shoots.
- Function: Responsible for primary growth, which increases the length of stems and roots. Apical meristems give rise to primary tissues and organs of the plant.
- Lateral Meristems:
- Location: Along the sides of stems and roots.
- Types:
- Vascular Cambium: Located between the xylem and phloem in stems and roots. It is responsible for secondary growth, increasing the girth of stems and roots.
- Cork Cambium: Located in the outer layers of stems and roots. It produces the outer protective layer of the plant, known as the periderm, which replaces the epidermis in woody plants.
- Intercalary Meristems:
- Location: Found at the base of internodes (between nodes) and at the base of leaf blades in monocots such as grasses.
- Function: Allows for the elongation of stems and leaves. It contributes to growth in specific regions of the plant where rapid cell division is needed.
- Root Caps:
- Location: At the very tip of the root.
- Function: Contains meristematic cells that contribute to the formation of new root tissues. The root cap protects the delicate meristematic tissue and helps the root penetrate the soil.
These meristematic tissues ensure that plants can continuously grow and develop throughout their life cycle, adapting to environmental conditions and repairing any damage.
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