Chapter 35.2, Problem 1CC

Summary Introduction

To determine: Whether primary and secondary growth can occur simultaneously in the same plant.

Concept introduction:

Plants have the unique ability to grow throughout their life unlike animals. This type of growth is known as indeterminate growth. Plants possess undifferentiated tissues known as the meristem. Meristem tissues contain cells that have the ability to divide and produce new cells. These new cells elongate and differentiate to form the different parts of plant. Some plant organs do not show growth throughout their life. They stop their growth after a period of time.

Primary growth refers to the growth that occurs in length. The primary growth is mainly due to apical meristem. The apical meristem is found in apical parts of shoot and root. It allows root to grow under the soil and shoot to grow upward to increase the sunlight exposure.

Secondary growth refers to growth in thickness. It occurs due to the lateral meristem. The lateral meristem includes vascular cambium and cork cambium. The secondary growth occurs in those parts in which the primary growth has been stopped.