You are here
๐ฌ Think about it
Mow a lawn and the grass grows back. Trim a hedge and it turns bushy. If the tips were cut, how does the plant still grow? There must be growth tissue somewhere else too. Let us find it.
What is the intercalary meristem?
- It is meristem at the base of an internode or just above a node.
- A node is the point where branches or leaves arise.
- An internode is the part of stem between two nodes.
- It helps plants like grasses regrow after cutting or grazing.
What are the three types of meristematic tissue?
- Apical meristem at root and shoot tips increases length.
- Lateral meristem along the stem increases girth.
- Intercalary meristem at the nodes helps regrowth after cutting.
| Meristem | Location | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Apical | Root and shoot tips | Increases length. |
| Lateral | Ring along the stem | Increases girth. |
| Intercalary | Base of internodes, near nodes | Helps regrowth after cutting. |
What do meristematic cells look like?
- They are small, with thin cell walls.
- They have a large prominent nucleus and dense cytoplasm.
- Vacuoles are generally absent.
- The cells are tightly packed with little space between them.
What is differentiation?
- Dividing cells add new cells to the plant.
- Some stay meristematic; others lose the ability to divide.
- Those that stop dividing change in structure and function.
- This process of becoming specialised is called differentiation, and it forms permanent tissue.
Example:
A dividing cell can differentiate into a tough sclerenchyma cell that supports the plant.
Differentiation Step by Step
Dividing meristematic cell
↓
Loses division
The cell stops dividing.
↓
Changes shape and job
It becomes specialised.
↓
Permanent tissue
Important Points
- Plants have three meristems: apical, lateral and intercalary.
- Meristematic cells are small, thin-walled and lack vacuoles.
- By differentiation, meristematic tissue becomes permanent tissue.
๐ NCERT Question 1 — Meristematic tissues divide repeatedly
Meristematic tissues divide repeatedly — what property of their cells allows this?
View Answer →
โ Test Yourself
-
Which meristem helps grass grow back after mowing?
View Answer
The intercalary meristem. -
What is a node?
View Answer
The point on a stem where branches or leaves arise. -
Why do meristematic cells lack large vacuoles?
View Answer
So they stay small and packed for rapid, continuous division. -
What is differentiation?
View Answer
When dividing cells become specialised and form permanent tissue.
Important Definitions
- Intercalary meristem — meristem near the nodes that helps regrowth after cutting.
- Node — the point on a stem where branches or leaves arise.
- Internode — the part of the stem between two nodes.
- Differentiation — the process by which meristematic cells become specialised permanent tissue.
๐ NCERT Question 13 — Vibha claims to her
Vibha claims meristematic cells are only at the root and shoot apices — is she right?
View Answer →
๐ NCERT Question 10 — Sohan designed an experiment
Sohan grew sugarcane from two cuttings; only the one with a node sprouted — why?
View Answer →
