Hajtáscsúcs

Hajtáscsúcs is a Hungarian term that translates to "shoot apex" or "apical meristem" in English. It refers to the actively growing tip of a plant shoot, which is responsible for the plant's primary growth in length. This region is characterized by undifferentiated cells, known as meristematic cells, that are capable of rapid cell division. These cells are crucial for the development of new leaves, stems, and flowers.

The hajtáscsúcs is located at the uppermost point of a young stem or branch. It is protected by young leaves called leaf primordia or by specialized scale leaves, forming a bud. Within the hajtáscsúcs, different zones of cells can be identified. The outermost layer, the tunica, contributes to the epidermis and surface layers of the stem. Beneath this is the corpus, which forms the bulk of the stem's internal tissues. The activity of the hajtáscsúcs dictates the plant's overall architecture and its ability to reach sunlight and resources. Damage to the hajtáscsúcs can significantly alter a plant's growth pattern, often leading to branching from lower buds as the apical dominance is lost. Understanding the function and development of the hajtáscsúcs is fundamental to plant biology and has practical applications in agriculture and horticulture, particularly in propagation and growth control techniques.