Stem of date palm increases in girth due to activity ofa)Intercalary meristemb)Apical meristemc)Lateral meristemd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

The stem of date palm increases in girth due to the activity of apical meristem and not because of intercalary meristem and lateral meristem (involves is the normal secondary growth of dicots). Thus, option B is correct.

Answer

Lateral meristem is responsible for increase in girth of palm trees not apical meristem (it causes elongation), but in Palm  lateral meristem is absent so apical widens the stem.

Answer

Apical Meristem

The stem of a date palm increases in girth due to the activity of the apical meristem. The apical meristem is a type of meristematic tissue found at the tips of roots and shoots. It is responsible for the primary growth of the plant, which includes the increase in length and the formation of new organs and tissues.

Function of Apical Meristem

The apical meristem is responsible for the elongation of the stem and the formation of new cells in the primary growth of the plant. It produces new cells through cell division, which leads to the increase in length of the stem. These newly formed cells differentiate into various types of tissues that make up the stem, including the vascular tissues responsible for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.

Apical Meristem in Date Palm

In the case of the date palm, the apical meristem is located at the tip of the stem. It continuously produces new cells that elongate the stem and contribute to its growth. As the cells produced by the apical meristem divide and differentiate, they add new layers of tissues to the stem, resulting in an increase in girth.

Lateral Meristem vs Apical Meristem

Lateral meristems, such as the vascular cambium and the cork cambium, are responsible for secondary growth, which occurs in woody plants and leads to an increase in girth. However, in the case of the date palm, which is a monocot and does not undergo significant secondary growth, the increase in girth is mainly due to the activity of the apical meristem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stem of a date palm increases in girth due to the activity of the apical meristem. This meristematic tissue is responsible for the primary growth of the plant, including the elongation of the stem and the formation of new cells and tissues. The apical meristem continuously produces new cells that contribute to the growth of the stem, resulting in an increase in girth.

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