What is a meristem?
Q: What is a meristem?
A: A meristem is a tissue in plants made of dividing cells.
Q: Where are meristems found in a plant?
A: Meristems are found in parts of the plant where growth can take place.
Q: Why is cell division necessary in the meristem?
A: Cell division in the meristem is necessary to get new cells, which allows for the growth of tissues and new organs needed by the plant.
Q: What is the function of meristematic cells in plants?
A: Meristematic cells have the same function for plants as stem cells have for animals. They are incompletely or not at all differentiated, and are capable of continued cell division.
Q: What is the size and composition of meristematic cells?
A: Meristematic cells are small and protoplasm fills the cell completely. The vacuoles are extremely small. The cytoplasm does not contain plastids but they are present in rudimentary form ('proplastids').
Q: How are meristematic cells arranged in the tissue?
A: Meristematic cells are packed closely together without intercellular cavities.
Q: What is the nature of the cell wall in meristematic cells?
A: The cell wall in meristematic cells is a very thin primary cell wall.
