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NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Apical Meristem
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Apical Meristem

In plants, the apical meristem is a region of cells capable of division and growth found at the tips of the root and shoot stems. Apical meristems are responsible for the formation of the primary plant body and the extension of the roots and shoots from the base of the plant.

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The cells of the apical meristems are typically small and nearly spherical in shape, similar to those found in other meristematic regions of the embryo. In addition, they have an abundance of small vacuoles compared to other cells (watery saclike enclosures). Some of these cells, known as initials, are responsible for ensuring that the meristem remains a continuous source of new cells. They may go through multiple rounds of mitosis (cell division) before differentiating into the specific cells required for root or shoot growth, depending on the species. Apical meristem cells are arranged in lineages of partially differentiated tissues known as primary meristems, which are formed by the cells that emerge from the meristem. It is composed of three primary meristems, which are as follows: the protoderm, which develops into the epidermis; the ground meristem, which develops into the ground tissues, which are made up of cells such as parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells; and the procambium, which forms into vascular tissues (xylem and phloem).

Meristem

The meristem is a type of plant tissue that can be found in the stem. It is made up of undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) that are capable of cell division and proliferation. Cells in the meristem have the ability to differentiate into the wide range of tissues and organs that occur in plants. These cells continue to separate until they are completely separated, at which point they lose their ability to partition.

Apical Meristem

As the name implies, “apical” refers to (something) that is associated with the apex. In this case, it refers to the “tips” of the plant’s shoots and roots, respectively. Furthermore, this type of meristem is completely undifferentiated and is responsible for lateral growth in the developing embryonic cell.

Function of  Apical Meristem

Differentiated plant cells, in contrast to undifferentiated plant cells, are generally incapable of dividing or even producing different types of cells. Plants, on the other hand, must grow in order to survive. The meristem is responsible for carrying out this function. Apical meristems are specialised zones of growth found at the tips of plants, which distinguishes them from the other types of meristem. It is these that are responsible for the growth and extension of the plant’s shoots and roots, as well as the formation of the primary plant body.

Types of Apical Meristem

There are two types of apical meristem which are Shoot apical meristem (SAM) and root apical meristem (RAM):

Shoot apical meristem (SAM)

Cressula ovata Apical Meristems on the Shoot (left). The leaves have developed after fourteen days (right). In plants, Apical Meristems (shoot meristems) are the source of all organs that grow above ground, such as leaves and flowers. In the encompassing fringe district, cells at the shoot Apical Meristem’s highest point spread out as undifferentiated organisms, where they multiply rapidly and are consolidated into separating leaf or blossom primordia, as shown in the diagram. Plant embryogenesis takes place primarily in the Apical Meristem, which is located at the base of the shoot. The need for citation Here, the development of the first leaf and the first sepal and petal and the first stamen and ovaries begins at the rate of one each time stretch, which is referred to as a plastochron (plastid). When blossom development is elicited, it is here that the most visible signs of progress are displayed. The absence of apical predominance and the appearance of if not torpid cells to form as assistant shoot meristems, in certain species in the axils of primordia as close as a few cells away from the apical arch, may be signs of apical predominance deficiency.

Root apical meristem (RAM) 

The root Apical Meristem differs from the shoot Apical Meristem in that it produces cells from both sides of the root. It contains two pools of immature microorganisms that congregate around a sorting out centre known as the quiet community (QC) cells, and the two pools work together to produce a significant portion of the cells in a mature root. The root meristem is protected by the root cap at its apex, which ensures and directs the direction in which the root meristem grows. Cells are consistently sloughed off the surface of the root cap’s external surface on a regular basis. The low mitotic activity of the QC cells is a characteristic of these cells. In order to keep up with the encompassing immature microorganisms, the proof recommends that the QC delay their separation by using signal(s) that have yet to be discovered. This allows the meristem to maintain a consistent supply of new cells, which is necessary for persistent root development.

Conclusion

It is found in the root tips, as well as the tips of new shoots and leaves, and is a type of tissue known as Apical Meristematic tissue. It is responsible for plant growth and can be found in the roots, shoots, and leaves. The Apical Meristem is one of three types of meristems, or tissue that has the ability to divide into different cell types. Meristem tissue is found in plants and is the tissue where growth and development occur. Growing at the top and bottom of a plant’s stem is referred to as apical growth. Apical Meristems are responsible for the formation of the primary plant body as well as the extension of roots and shoots from the base of the plant body.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is Apical Meristem?

Ans. When it comes to plants, apices are the meristems that are completely undifferentiated (also known as i...Read full

What is the structure of an apical meristem?

Ans. Apical meristems, which are found at the tips of all vascular plants’ shoots and roots, give rise...Read full

What is an apical meristem example?

Ans. A type of meristematic tissue that is found at the tips or terminal portions of the plant, such as the ...Read full

What are the characteristics of meristematic tissue?

Ans. They have a small number of vacuoles and a small size....Read full

Is the Apical Meristem present in all plants?

Ans. Yes, Apical Meristematic tissues are found in all plants and play an important role in the growth of th...Read full

Ans. When it comes to plants, apices are the meristems that are completely undifferentiated (also known as indeterminate meristems). Three types of primary meristems are formed from these cells. Following that, the two different types of secondary meristems are produced by the primary meristems. Because they are involved in lateral growth, these secondary meristems are also referred to as lateral meristems.

Ans. Apical meristems, which are found at the tips of all vascular plants’ shoots and roots, give rise to three types of primary meristems, which in turn produce the plant’s mature primary tissues. Dermal, vascular, and ground tissues are the three types of mature tissues.

Ans. A type of meristematic tissue that is found at the tips or terminal portions of the plant, such as the shoot apex and root apex. Supplement. Meristematic tissues are made up of cells that are actively dividing at the time of their formation.

Ans.

  • They have a small number of vacuoles and a small size.
  • The meristematic tissue is alive and has a thin layer of wall covering it.
  • There is a tremendous amount of cellular material in the cells.
  • The meristematic tissues of a damaged plant repair the damage done to it.

Ans. Yes, Apical Meristematic tissues are found in all plants and play an important role in the growth of the plant. Cell divisions in the Apical Meristems result in cell expansion and differentiation, which results in the formation of all plant organs. Ans: The apical part of many plants is formed by primary development.

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