The meristem that occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of...
Secondary Meristem in Plants
Meristem is a type of tissue in plants that is responsible for cell division and growth. It is a region of active cell division and differentiation. There are three types of meristems in plants: primary, secondary and intercalary.
Primary meristem is present at the tips of roots and shoots and is responsible for the primary growth of the plant. Intercalary meristem is found at the base of leaves and is responsible for the growth in length of the leaf blade.
Secondary meristem, on the other hand, occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of many plants, particularly those that produce a woody axis and appear later. It is responsible for the secondary growth of the plant. Secondary growth is the increase in girth or thickness of the plant. It occurs in dicotyledonous plants and some gymnosperms.
Types of Secondary Meristem
There are two types of secondary meristem:
1. Vascular cambium: It is a lateral meristem that occurs between the primary xylem and primary phloem in the stem and root. It is responsible for the formation of secondary xylem and secondary phloem, which collectively form the secondary vascular tissue.
2. Cork cambium: It is also a lateral meristem that occurs in the outer cortex of the stem and root. It is responsible for the formation of cork cells and phelloderm, which collectively form the periderm.
Role of Secondary Meristem
Secondary meristem is responsible for the increase in girth or thickness of the stem and root. It is responsible for the formation of secondary vascular tissue and periderm. It is the reason why some plants, such as trees, can grow to be very large and tall. The secondary growth of the plant also provides mechanical support and protection to the plant.
Conclusion
Secondary meristem is a type of meristem that occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of many plants. It is responsible for the secondary growth of the plant, which is the increase in girth or thickness of the plant. There are two types of secondary meristem: vascular cambium and cork cambium. Vascular cambium is responsible for the formation of secondary vascular tissue, while cork cambium is responsible for the formation of the periderm.
The meristem that occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of...
The meristem that occurs in the mature regions of roots and shoots of many plants, particularly those that produce woody axis and appear later than primary meristem is called the secondary or lateral meristem. They are cylindrical meristems. Fascicular vascular cambium, interfascicular cambium, and cork-cambium are examples of lateral meristems. These are responsible for producing the secondary tissues.