Difference Between Apical Meristem And Lateral Meristem

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Plants are constantly growing and adding cells to their tissues. This growth is accomplished by special regions of actively dividing cells called meristems. There are two types of meristems in plants: apical and lateral. Apical meristems are located at the tips of roots and shoots, while lateral meristems are located along the sides of stems and roots.

What is Apical Meristem ?

Apical meristem is the tissue at the tip of a plant’s root and stem. This tissue is made up of rapidly dividing cells, which allows the plant to grow taller. The cells in the apical meristem are also responsible for forming new leaves and flowers.

What is Lateral Meristem?

Lateral meristem is a tissue found in some plant stems and roots. It is made up of cells that divide continuously to add new cells to the plant. Lateral meristem helps the plant grow wider.

Lateral meristem is found in the cortex, or outer layer, of a plant stem. The cells of the lateral meristem are thin and elongated. They are arranged in layers, with each layer having a different job. The first layer of cells divides to form new cortex cells. The second layer divides to form new phloem cells, which transport food throughout the plant. The third layer divides to form new xylem cells, which transport water and minerals up from the roots.

Lateral meristem is important for plants because it allows them to grow wider.

Main differences between Apical Meristem and Lateral Meristem

There are two types of meristem tissue in plants: the apical meristem and the lateral meristem. The main difference between these two types of tissues is their location in the plant. The apical meristem is located at the tips of the roots and stems, while the lateral meristem is located along the sides of the roots and stems.

The apical meristem is responsible for plant growth at the tips of the roots and stems. This type of tissue contains actively dividing cells that allow the plant to grow taller and produce new leaves. The lateral meristem, on the other hand, is responsible for increasing the diameter of the roots and stems. This type of tissue contains actively dividing cells that add new layers of cells to the roots and stems.

Both types of tissue are essential for plant growth and development.

Similar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between an apical meristem and a lateral meristem?

An apical meristem is a small group of cells located at the tips of plant stems and roots. These cells divide rapidly to produce new cells, which lengthen the plant. A lateral meristem is a layer of actively dividing cells located just beneath the plant’s surface. These cells increase the diameter of the plant.

What is the function of an apical meristem?

There are two types of meristems in plants: the apical meristem and the lateral meristem. The apical meristem is located at the tips of the roots and stems, while the lateral meristem is located along the sides of the stems. Both types of meristems are responsible for plant growth.

The apical meristem is responsible for producing new cells that help the plant to grow taller. The lateral meristem is responsible for producing new cells that help the plant to grow wider. Both types of meristems produce new cells by a process called cell division.

Cell division is a process where a single cell splits into two new cells. This process happens in all types of cells, including those in the apical and lateral meristems.

What is the function of a lateral meristem?

A lateral meristem is a plant tissue that helps the plant to grow in girth. It is found in the stem and root of plants, and its function is to add new cells to the plant’s lateral or ground tissue. The lateral meristem is made up of three main zones: the primary growth zone, the secondary growth zone, and the cambium.

The primary growth zone is responsible for cell division, which leads to an increase in the length of the plant. The secondary growth zone is responsible for cell enlargement, which leads to an increase in girth. The cambium is a layer of actively dividing cells that lies between the primary and secondary growth zones.

Lateral meristems are essential for plants to grow to their full potential size. Without them, plants would be much smaller and would not be able to support themselves.

What is the function of a lateral meristem?

A lateral meristem is a layer of actively dividing cells located just beneath the epidermis of a plant. It helps the plant to grow in width by increasing the number of cells in the lateral (sideways) direction. This growth is in contrast to the apical meristem, which helps the plant to grow taller by increasing cell number in the axial (up and down) direction.

Lateral meristems are found in both woody and herbaceous plants. They are responsible for secondary growth, which is an increase in girth or thickness. This type of growth occurs when the cells of the lateral meristem divide and expand, pushing the older cells outwards. This results in a thickening of the stem or trunk.

The function of the lateral meristem is essential for plant growth and development.

In conclusion,the main difference between apical and lateral meristem is their location in the plant. Apical meristem is located at the tips of the plant while lateral meristem is located along the sides of the plant. Both types of meristem are important for plant growth.