Meristem - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A meristem is a plant tissue composed of undifferentiated cells capable of continuous division, enabling growth and development of new organs like roots, stems, and leaves. It is vital for plant regeneration.
Definition:
Plant tissue responsible for growth, found in areas like root and shoot tips.
Synonyms:
cambium, growth tissue, formative tissue
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
mature tissue, differentiated cells
Common Collocations:
apical meristem, lateral meristem, primary meristem, secondary meristem
Derivatives:
meristematic, meristematically
Usage Tips:
Use "meristem" when discussing plant biology to refer to undifferentiated cells enabling growth.
Common Phrases:
meristematic activity, shoot apical meristem, root apical meristem
Etymology:
From Greek "meristos" (divided) + "-em" (suffix), referring to its role in cell division.
Examples:
- 1. The meristem allows plants to grow taller and wider.
- 2. Gardeners often study the meristem to understand plant development.
- 3. Damage to the apical meristem can stunt a plant's growth.
- 4. Meristems are crucial for producing new leaves and roots.