Specialized groups of cells that divide rapidly or almost continuously; the plant's growing points

Specialized groups of cells that divide rapidly or almost continuously; the plant's growing points

• A. Meristems
• B. Xylem
• C. Phloem
• D. Parenchyma

Answer: (A)

Meristematic tissue is the group of cells that keeps dividing and driving growth in plants. These cells stay capable of rapid division and stay largely undifferentiated, which is why they sit at the plant’s growing points—the tips of roots and shoots—where primary growth occurs. As cells divide, they give rise to the various tissues that form new organs, such as epidermis, cortex, and the vascular tissues, enabling the plant to extend in length and develop new structures. In woody plants, additional growth comes from lateral meristems like the vascular cambium and cork cambium, which thicken stems and roots. The other tissues listed are mature, specialized tissues rather than growth centers. Xylem and phloem are transport tissues produced from meristem activity, not the sites where growth points reside. Parenchyma is a versatile ground tissue involved in storage and photosynthesis among other roles, but it is not the region that continuously drives growth.

Meristematic tissue is the group of cells that keeps dividing and driving growth in plants. These cells stay capable of rapid division and stay largely undifferentiated, which is why they sit at the plant’s growing points—the tips of roots and shoots—where primary growth occurs. As cells divide, they give rise to the various tissues that form new organs, such as epidermis, cortex, and the vascular tissues, enabling the plant to extend in length and develop new structures. In woody plants, additional growth comes from lateral meristems like the vascular cambium and cork cambium, which thicken stems and roots.

The other tissues listed are mature, specialized tissues rather than growth centers. Xylem and phloem are transport tissues produced from meristem activity, not the sites where growth points reside. Parenchyma is a versatile ground tissue involved in storage and photosynthesis among other roles, but it is not the region that continuously drives growth.