Apical Meristems: Primary Growth in Shoots and Roots

Question 1

primary growth

Answer 1

increase in shoot and root LENGTH by cell division of apical meristem
-meristems are present in all plants
-shoot apical meristem (upward) & root apical meristem (downward)

Question 2

meristems

Answer 2

small populations of rapid cell division that produce all mature organs of vascular plant
- roots and stems grow in length
- can grow outwards, forming leaves, flowers, branches from meristems in axillary buds
-roots can also branch from primary root with lateral roots formed out of pericycle

Question 3

cells of meristem are called ____ and are ____: capable of giving to any cell type

Answer 3

initials

totipotent

Question 4

shoot apical meristem (SAM)

Answer 4

• located at shoot tip (terminal end)
• increases stem length through cell division
• axillary buds contain bud primordia (meristem)
• meristem often protected by bud scales and leaf primordia

Question 5

dividing cells (in SAM) are ___, _________
mature, differentiated cells are ___, ________

Answer 5

small, dense with cytoplasm
larger, highly vacuolated