Growth in plants

Front

Meristem Noun

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[mer-i-stem]

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Meristem

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A type of plant tissue with undifferentiated cells that can divide and differentiate, enabling continuous growth and repair.

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Example: This diagram shows a plant stem with highlighted areas, pointing to the locations of meristem tissues (apical, lateral, and intercalary) where the plant actively grows.

Front

Primary Growth Noun

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[prahy-mer-ee grohth]

Back

Primary Growth

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The growth that occurs at the tips of roots and shoots, resulting in an increase in the plant's length.

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Example: This diagram shows primary growth, the process of a plant growing taller. It starts at the shoot apical meristem and continues through zones of cell elongation and maturation.

Front

Secondary Growth Noun

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[sek-uhn-der-ee grohth]

Back

Secondary Growth

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The growth that increases the diameter of stems and roots in woody plants, adding girth and structural support.

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Example: This diagram shows a plant stem getting thicker. The cambial ring creates new layers of secondary xylem and phloem, increasing the stem's diameter over time.

Front

Cell Division Noun

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[sel di-vizh-uhn]

Back

Cell Division

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The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, increasing the total number of cells.

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Example: This diagram shows how a plant cell divides to form two new cells, a process essential for plant growth. A cell plate forms in the middle to separate them.

Front

Mitosis Noun

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[mahy-toh-sis]

Back

Mitosis

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A type of cell division resulting in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes.

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Example: This diagram shows the four main stages of mitosis, where one parent cell divides to create two identical daughter cells for growth and repair.

Front

Cellular Differentiation Noun

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[sel-yuh-ler dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuhn]

Back

Cellular Differentiation

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The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type to perform specific functions.

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Example: A single cell divides into identical daughter cells, which then express different genes to become specialized cells, such as a neuron or an epithelial cell.

Front

Undifferentiated Cells Noun

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[uhn-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-tid selz]

Back

Undifferentiated Cells

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Cells that have not yet developed into a specialized cell type and retain the ability to divide and differentiate.

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Example: This diagram shows that undifferentiated stem cells are special cells that can develop (differentiate) into many different types of specialized cells.

Front

Apical Meristem Noun

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[ey-pi-kuhl mer-i-stem]

Back

Apical Meristem

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Meristematic tissue at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for the plant's primary growth in length.

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Example: This diagram shows the tip of a plant root, highlighting the apical meristem, a key area of actively dividing cells responsible for root growth.

Front

Apex Noun

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[ey-peks]

Back

Apex

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The tip or highest point of a plant structure, such as the end of a root or a shoot bud.

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Example: This image shows a plant and zooms in on its tip, the apex. This area, called the shoot apical meristem, contains special cells that divide.

Front

Protoderm Noun

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[proh-tuh-durm]

Back

Protoderm

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The primary meristematic tissue that develops into the epidermis, the outermost protective layer of the plant's primary body.

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Example: This micrograph shows a plant's growing tip, with the protoderm labeled as the outermost layer of cells that will develop into the plant's skin (epidermis).