Meristem
Meristem
Meristem (/ˈmɛrɪstɛm/; from Greek: meristos, "divisible") is a type of tissue found in plants. It consists of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) capable of cell division. Meristems give rise to various organs of a plant and keep the plant growing.
Etymology
The term "meristem" was first used in 1858 by Carl Wilhelm von Nägeli in his book Beiträge zur Wissenschaftlichen Botanik ("Contributions to Scientific Botany"). It is derived from the Greek word "meristos" (divisible), referring to the cells' ability to divide and differentiate.
Types of Meristem
There are three types of meristem:
- Apical meristem - Located at the growing points of stems and roots. It is responsible for the elongation of the plant.
- Intercalary meristem - Found at the base of leaves or internodes. It allows for the rapid growth and regrowth of many monocots.
- Lateral meristem - Situated along the sides of a plant. It contributes to the secondary growth and thickening of the plant.
Related Terms
- Cell division - The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
- Differentiation - The process where a cell changes from one cell type to another.
- Plant anatomy - The study of the internal structure of plants.
- Monocots - One of two major groups of flowering plants (angiosperms), characterized by having one embryonic leaf (cotyledon).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Meristem
- Wikipedia's article - Meristem
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