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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.

meristem

/ˈmɛrəˌstɛm/ /ˈmɛrɪˌstɛm/

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.

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