Definition

1. Noun:
   • Undifferentiated plant tissue: A type of plant tissue composed of cells that are not yet specialized and are capable of continuous cell division, leading to growth and the formation of new plant structures.
   • Region of active cell division: Specifically refers to areas in a plant, such as the tips of roots and shoots, where this growth and cell production occur.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The apical meristem at the shoot tip is responsible for the plant's upward growth.
  • Scientists study the root meristem to understand how plants develop their underground systems.
  • Damage to the meristem can severely stunt a plant's growth.

Advanced Usage

• "Apical meristem": The meristem located at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for primary growth (lengthening).
  • The apical meristem produces cells that become leaves, stems, and flowers.
• "Lateral meristem": The meristem found in the cambium layer, responsible for secondary growth (thickening).
  • The lateral meristem, or vascular cambium, increases the girth of tree trunks.
• "Intercalary meristem": Meristematic tissue located at the bases of leaves or internodes, often found in grasses.
  • The intercalary meristem allows grass to regrow quickly after being mowed.

Variants and Related Words

• Meristematic (adj): Relating to or consisting of meristem.
  • The meristematic cells are small and have large nuclei.
• Meristemoid (n): A cell or a small group of cells within a meristem that is the initial site of a specific developmental pathway.
  • A meristemoid may give rise to a stomatal guard cell.

Synonyms

• Growth tissue: A general term for tissue where growth occurs.
• Cambium (specifically for lateral meristem): A layer of actively dividing cells between the xylem and phloem.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Cell division: The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, fundamental to meristem function.
• Differentiation: The process by which meristematic cells become specialized into various plant tissues.

Noun

1. undifferentiated tissue from which new cells are formed, as at the tip of a stem or root