Meristemisolujen

Meristemisolujen, also known as meristematic cells, are undifferentiated plant cells that are capable of continuous cell division. These cells are found in specific regions of plants called meristems, which are responsible for plant growth. Meristems are typically located at the tips of roots and shoots, in the vascular cambium, and in the cork cambium.

There are two main types of meristems: apical meristems and lateral meristems. Apical meristems are found at the apex (tip) of roots and shoots and are responsible for primary growth, which results in an increase in length. Lateral meristems, such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium, are found in a cylindrical arrangement around the stem and roots and are responsible for secondary growth, which results in an increase in girth.

Meristematic cells are characterized by their small size, thin cell walls, large nuclei, and dense cytoplasm. They lack vacuoles or have very small ones. Due to their undifferentiated nature, meristematic cells have the potential to differentiate into various specialized plant tissues, such as xylem, phloem, parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. This ability is crucial for plant development, repair, and response to environmental stimuli. The continuous division of meristematic cells allows plants to grow throughout their lives, a phenomenon known as indeterminate growth, which is a key characteristic distinguishing them from most animals.