Apical meristem

Apical meristem is a type of meristem that is located at the apex, or tip, of plants. This meristem is responsible for the vertical growth of plants, and it is where new cells are produced for the growth of roots and shoots.

Structure

The apical meristem is composed of a group of undifferentiated cells that divide to produce new cells. These cells are capable of continuous division and are responsible for the plant's growth in length, a process known as primary growth. The apical meristem is typically dome-shaped and is located at the tip of the root or shoot.

Function

The primary function of the apical meristem is to facilitate the growth of the plant. It does this by producing new cells that differentiate into various types of plant tissues, such as xylem, phloem, and epidermis. The apical meristem also plays a crucial role in the formation of flowers and leaves.

Types

There are two types of apical meristems: the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the root apical meristem (RAM). The SAM is located at the tip of the shoot and is responsible for the production of leaves, flowers, and lateral shoots. The RAM, on the other hand, is located at the tip of the root and is responsible for the growth of the root system.

Apical dominance

Apical dominance is a phenomenon in which the main, central stem of the plant is dominant over other side stems. This dominance is maintained by the apical meristem through the production of auxin, a type of plant hormone. Auxin suppresses the growth of lateral buds, ensuring that the plant grows primarily in height rather than width.

See also

• Meristem
• Plant physiology
• Plant morphology
• Plant hormone