Explain the functions of the different types of meristems found in plants. Be able to distinguish
between secretory tissues.
Solution
In plants, meristems are resent broadly of three types namely:
1. Apical meristem
2. intercalary Meristem
3. Lateral meristem
1. APICAL MERISTEM
This is present at the root and shoot apex of the plant and is actively dividing zone. Shoot apcal
meristem causes plant to grow up and root apical meristem causes thr roots to grow down in the
soil.
Apical meristems keep dividing and result in the primary growth of plant and the tissues formed
as their division as named as Protoderm and Procambium.
2. INTERCALARY MERISTEM
Intercalary meristem is found between the mature tisues like nodes and internodes. It functions to
regulate the regenration of Tissues when the leaves and grasses are grazed by herbivores. This
meristem is found mainly in monocot plants.
3. LATERAL MERISTEM
This type of meristems is developed late in the plant life cycle and thus it is also known as
secondary meristem. It functions in the secondary growth of plant where plant grows in girth not
in height. Cork cambium fascisular cambium and interfascicular cambium are types of lateral
meristems..
Explain the functions of the different types of meristems found in pl.pdf
1. Explain the functions of the different types of meristems found in plants. Be able to distinguish
between secretory tissues.
Solution
In plants, meristems are resent broadly of three types namely:
1. Apical meristem
2. intercalary Meristem
3. Lateral meristem
1. APICAL MERISTEM
This is present at the root and shoot apex of the plant and is actively dividing zone. Shoot apcal
meristem causes plant to grow up and root apical meristem causes thr roots to grow down in the
soil.
Apical meristems keep dividing and result in the primary growth of plant and the tissues formed
as their division as named as Protoderm and Procambium.
2. INTERCALARY MERISTEM
Intercalary meristem is found between the mature tisues like nodes and internodes. It functions to
regulate the regenration of Tissues when the leaves and grasses are grazed by herbivores. This
meristem is found mainly in monocot plants.
3. LATERAL MERISTEM
This type of meristems is developed late in the plant life cycle and thus it is also known as
secondary meristem. It functions in the secondary growth of plant where plant grows in girth not
in height. Cork cambium fascisular cambium and interfascicular cambium are types of lateral
meristems.
