Brilio.net - Meristem tissue is one of the important tissues that plays a role in the process of plant growth. This tissue consists of cells that actively divide, allowing plants to continue to grow, both in length, width, and the formation of new organs. Based on its location in the plant body, there are 3 types of meristem tissue, each of which has a specific role in growth. This article will discuss the three types of meristem tissue and their functions in plants.
1. Apical meristem tissue
Apical meristem is a type of meristem tissue located at the ends of plants, both at the tips of roots and tips of stems. Its location at the tip of the plant makes this tissue responsible for longitudinal growth or what is known as primary growth. This growth allows plants to continue to extend their roots and stems so that they can reach wider sources of nutrients in the soil and get more sunlight.
In plants, apical meristems are not only found at the tip of the stem, but also at the tips of the roots. The function of apical meristems in the stem is to increase the height of the plant, while in the roots it functions to deepen the penetration of the roots into the soil. Thus, plants are able to absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.
Apical meristems also play a role in the formation of new leaves and branches on the stem. In some plants, apical meristems can also form side shoots that later develop into branches or flowers. This type of meristem tissue plays a central role in the vegetative growth of plants throughout their life.
2. Lateral meristem tissue
Lateral meristem is a type of meristem tissue located on the side of the stem and root. The main function of this meristem is to produce secondary growth, which is the growth responsible for the thickening of the stem and root. With the presence of lateral meristem, plants are able to grow wider and stronger, allowing the stem and root to support greater loads.
Lateral meristems in woody plants, such as trees, produce xylem and phloem tissues that form annual rings. These tissues are responsible for transporting water, minerals, and photosynthesis products to all parts of the plant. In addition, lateral meristems also play a role in the formation of bark that protects the inside of the stem from environmental damage.
In dicotyledonous plants, the lateral meristem consists of two main parts, namely the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. The vascular cambium is responsible for producing xylem towards the inside and phloem towards the outside, thereby increasing the diameter of the stem. Meanwhile, the cork cambium forms a protective layer that replaces the epidermis when the plant undergoes secondary thickening.
This type of meristem tissue is very important for woody plants because it allows plants to survive for a long time. With the secondary thickening that continues to occur, the plant stem becomes stronger and is able to support high growth and more efficient nutrient transport.
3. Intercalary meristem tissue
Intercalary meristem is a type of meristem tissue located between mature tissues, usually at the base of the stem segment, as in monocotyledonous plants. This tissue is unique because it is located between two mature tissues, and functions to lengthen the stem segment, which is a characteristic of monocotyledonous plants such as rice and corn. In these plants, intercalary meristem allows rapid growth of stem segments, even after other parts of the stem have matured.
One of the important roles of intercalary meristem is its ability to continue to respond to cutting or damage to the plant. When the upper leaf or stem is cut off, the intercalary meristem allows the plant to immediately regenerate by extending the stem or leaf from the remaining part. Therefore, in monocotyledonous plants, cutting leaves often does not stop their growth because the intercalary meristem is still active.
The main difference between intercalary meristem and apical meristem and lateral meristem lies in its location between mature tissues. While apical and lateral meristems are located at the tips or sides of the plant, intercalary meristems are located in certain areas along the stem. This type of meristem tissue plays a major role in accelerating the growth of plant length, especially in single-stemmed plants.
The difference between apical, lateral and intercalary meristems
Although all three types of meristem tissue play a role in plant growth, they have different functions and locations:
- The apical meristem is located at the tip of the plant and is responsible for primary growth or increase in length of the plant.
- Lateral meristems are located next to the stems and roots, and play a role in secondary growth or thickening of the stems and roots.
- Intercalary meristems are located between mature tissues and function to lengthen stem segments, especially in monocotyledonous plants.
These three types of meristem tissue work synergistically to ensure that plants can grow vertically, horizontally, and are able to respond to damage or cutting of body parts.
In natural ecosystems, this type of meristem tissue gives plants the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions and maintain their growth. For botanists and agriculturalists, knowledge of meristem tissue is very useful in managing and optimizing plant growth to obtain maximum results.