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๐ฌ Think about it
A tiny seedling becomes a tall tree, roots dig deep, stems thicken, and grass grows back after being cut.
Something inside the plant keeps making new cells.
Which tissue does this?
Let us find out.
What are the different tissues in plants?
How many kinds of plant tissue are there?
Plant Tissues
Can the cells divide?
1. Meristematic
Cells keep dividing
Adds new cells
Example:
Apical Meristem
Lateral Meristem
Intercalary Meristem
2. Permanent
Lost the power to divide
Does one special job
Example:
Epidermis
Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma
Xylem and phloem
- Plant tissues are of two kinds .
- Meristematic tissues โ their cells keep dividing, so they are responsible for the growth of the plant.
- Permanent tissues โ their cells have stopped dividing and have taken up a fixed job.
- First, we will study about meristematic tissues, and after that we will study permanent tissues.
What are meristematic tissues?
Meristematic Tissue
Meristematic
made of actively dividing cells
Tissue
a group of similar cells
doing one job
โ
A tissue of actively dividing cellsย
whichย
is responsible for the growth of a plant.
- Growth needs actively dividing cells .
- These dividing cells together form a meristematic tissue .
- Meristematic tissue is also called the tissue for growth .
Example:
The growing tip of an onion root is full of dividing meristematic cells.
What are the different types of meristematic tissues in plants?
Where are they found?
Meristematic Tissue
Three growth zones
1. Apical
At root and shoot tips
Grows in length
Example:
Onion root tip
Shoot tip of a sapling
2. Lateral
A ring inside the stem
Grows in girth
Example:
Annual rings in a trunk
Thickening dicot stem
3. Intercalary
At the base of internode
Regrows after cutting
Example:
Grass after mowing
A trimmed hedge
Sugarcane node
- Meristematic tissue is of three types .
- Apical meristem โ found at the apex (tips) of the shoot and the end of roots.
- Lateral meristem โ found along the sides of the stem, in a ring.
- Intercalary meristem โ found near the nodes, in between.
How do plants grow, and which tissues are required for it?
![3.2 Tissues for Growth in Plants - Tissues in Action - [Teachoo] - Concepts](https://cdn.teachoo.com/1f5ff351-2521-4210-a9bb-2d1edf7abb9d/three-ways-plants-grow.webp)
Tissues for Growth in Plants
Tissues for Growth in Plants
โ
Increase in Length
Example:
the height of a plant or tree increases.
โ
For this, Apical Meristem is required.
โ
For this, Apical Meristem is required.
Increase in Girth
Example:
the stem of a plant increases in thickness.
โ
For this, Lateral Meristem is required.
โ
For this, Lateral Meristem is required.
For Regrowth
Example:
when we cut them, they grow again.
โ
For this, Intercalary Meristem is required.
โ
For this, Intercalary Meristem is required.
In length โ
taller stems
deeper roots
In girth โ
thicker stems
after cutting
or grazing
- Plants grow in three ways .
-
They
increase in length
โ taller stems and deeper roots.
For this, the apical meristem is required. -
They
increase in girth
โ thicker stems.
For this, the lateral meristem is required.
-
They
regrow
after being cut or grazed.
For this, the intercalary meristem is required.
Important Points
- Plant tissues are of two kinds โ meristematic tissues and permanent tissues.
- Meristematic tissue is made of actively dividing cells, and it makes the plant grow.
- Meristematic tissue is of three types โ apical, lateral and intercalary.
- Length needs apical meristem, girth needs lateral meristem, regrowth needs intercalary meristem.
โ Test Yourself
-
What are the two kinds of plant tissue?
View Answer
Meristematic tissues and permanent tissues. -
Which tissue is responsible for the growth of a plant?
View Answer
Meristematic tissue โ its cells divide actively. -
Name the three types of meristematic tissue.
View Answer
Apical meristem, lateral meristem and intercalary meristem. -
Which meristem is required when a plant increases in girth?
View Answer
The lateral meristem.
Important Definitions
- Meristematic tissue โ a tissue of actively dividing cells that makes a plant grow.
- Permanent tissue โ a tissue whose cells have stopped dividing and have taken up a fixed job.
