Biology: Meristematic Tissue and Cell Differentiation

Meristematic Tissue

Cell Differentiation

• Meristematic cells are undifferentiated, meaning they have not yet developed into specialized cells
• These cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types, such as parenchyma, collenchyma, or sclerenchyma
• Cell differentiation occurs in response to environmental cues, hormones, and genetic signals

Apical Meristem

• Located at the tips of shoots and roots, responsible for primary growth
• Consists of a group of actively dividing cells that produce new tissues
• Apical meristem is divided into three zones:
  1. Promeristem: innermost zone, where cells are most meristematic
  2. Protoderm: middle zone, where cells differentiate into epidermal cells
  3. Ground meristem: outermost zone, where cells differentiate into ground tissue

Primary Growth

• Results from the activity of the apical meristem
• Characterized by an increase in length, producing new tissues and organs
• Primary growth occurs in two directions:
  • Elongation: growth in length, resulting in stem and root elongation
  • Differentiation: growth in width, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs

Lateral Meristem

• Found in the vascular and cork cambia of stems and roots
• Responsible for secondary growth, increasing the girth of the plant
• Lateral meristem produces new tissues, such as xylem and phloem, which add to the diameter of the plant
• Secondary growth occurs in two directions:
  • Radial growth: growth in width, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs
  • Tangential growth: growth in circumference, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs

Meristematic Tissue

• Undifferentiated cells with the ability to differentiate into various cell types (parenchyma, collenchyma, or sclerenchyma) in response to environmental cues, hormones, and genetic signals
• Characterized by the ability to divide and give rise to different cell types

Apical Meristem

• Located at the tips of shoots and roots, responsible for primary growth
• Consists of a group of actively dividing cells that produce new tissues
• Divided into three zones:
  • Promeristem (innermost zone): where cells are most meristematic
  • Protoderm (middle zone): where cells differentiate into epidermal cells
  • Ground meristem (outermost zone): where cells differentiate into ground tissue

Primary Growth

• Results from the activity of the apical meristem
• Characterized by an increase in length, producing new tissues and organs
• Occurs in two directions:
  • Elongation: growth in length, resulting in stem and root elongation
  • Differentiation: growth in width, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs

Lateral Meristem

• Found in the vascular and cork cambia of stems and roots
• Responsible for secondary growth, increasing the girth of the plant
• Produces new tissues, such as xylem and phloem, which add to the diameter of the plant
• Secondary growth occurs in two directions:
  • Radial growth: growth in width, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs
  • Tangential growth: growth in circumference, resulting in the formation of new tissues and organs

Meristematic Tissue

• Meristematic cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into various cell types.
• These cells are found in meristematic tissues, which are responsible for plant growth and development.
• Meristematic cells have the ability to divide and produce new cells.

Primary Growth

• Primary growth is a type of growth that occurs in the apical meristem, resulting in an increase in plant length.
• This type of growth is characterized by the formation of new tissues and organs.
• Primary growth is responsible for the formation of leaves, stems, and roots.

Apical Meristem

• The apical meristem is located at the tips of stems and roots.
• It is responsible for primary growth and the formation of new tissues and organs.
• The apical meristem consists of a group of undifferentiated cells that divide and differentiate into new tissues.

Lateral Meristem

• The lateral meristem is located in the vascular and cork cambium of stems and roots.
• It is responsible for secondary growth, which increases the diameter of stems and roots.
• The lateral meristem consists of a group of undifferentiated cells that divide and differentiate into new tissues.

Cell Differentiation

• Cell differentiation is the process by which meristematic cells become specialized into specific cell types.
• This process involves changes in cell structure, function, and gene expression.
• Cell differentiation results in the formation of different tissues and organs in the plant.

Intercalary Meristem

• The intercalary meristem is a type of meristematic tissue found in the internodes of stems.
• It is responsible for the growth and elongation of stems.
• The intercalary meristem consists of a group of undifferentiated cells that divide and differentiate into new tissues.