What are meristematic tissues?

Meristematic tissues are the type of plant tissues that are responsible for cell division and growth in plants. These tissues are found in regions of the plant where growth is occurring, such as the tips of roots and shoots, and the cambium layer in the stems.

Meristematic tissues are also known as meristems and are composed of undifferentiated cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate into other types of cells. The cells produced by meristems can differentiate into various types of specialized cells, such as xylem, phloem, and epidermal cells.

There are two main types of meristems: apical meristems and lateral meristems. Apical meristems are found at the tips of roots and shoots, while lateral meristems are found in the cambium layer of the stem. Apical meristems are responsible for the elongation of roots and shoots, while lateral meristems are responsible for the growth in thickness of the stem and roots.

Overall, meristematic tissues play a crucial role in the growth and development of plants, allowing them to continuously produce new cells and tissues throughout their lifespan.