Plants have a unique ability to adapt and grow, and the secret behind their unparalleled growth lies in apical meristem- a group of cells on the tip of a plant’s roots and shoots that drive cell division and growth. The apical meristem, like the stem cells found in animals, has the potential to divide and differentiate to make new cells that construct the plant’s entire body.
The apical meristem consists of three primary meristems – the root apical meristem, shoot apical meristem, and intercalary meristem. The root apical meristem situated at the tip of the plant’s root drives cell division responsible for the root’s growth. The shoot apical meristem forms the aerial parts of a plant like leaves, stems, and flowers, and intercalary meristems that elongate the stem.
Apart from cell division, the apical meristem also regulates the direction of the growth. It ensures that the plant grows in the right direction by orienting the position of organs, using a mechanism called phototropism or geotropism. For instance, the shoot apical meristem orients the plant towards the light, while the root apical meristem keeps the plant rooted in the ground by orienting the root system entirely vertically downwards.
The apical meristem’s functioning also involves lateral meristem, responsible for the growth of the plant’s width or girth. As the plant grows, the lateral meristem, also known as the cambium, divides and produces new cells both to the inside and outside of the plant’s body. This results in the increase in girth of the stem, which is essential for support and growth.
In conclusion, apical meristem works hand in hand with other plant tissues to ensure proper growth, development, and plant regeneration. By continually dividing and differentiating, the apical meristem creates new cells required for the plant’s growth. A perfect understanding of apical meristem will significantly aid botanists and growers in controlling plant growth patterns. Its importance cannot be overemphasized as it is the secret behind plant growth and development.#16#