emístema

Emístema is a term primarily used in the context of plant biology and botany. It refers to the primary or rudimentary meristematic tissue of a plant. These are the undifferentiated cells responsible for initiating the growth of new organs and tissues. Emístema is crucial for the initial development of a plant embryo and for the establishment of the plant's fundamental body plan.

There are generally two types of emístema: apical meristems and lateral meristems. Apical meristems are found at the tips of roots and shoots, and they are responsible for primary growth, which is an increase in length. Lateral meristems, such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium, are responsible for secondary growth, leading to an increase in girth.

The cells within emístema are typically small, isodiametric, and possess dense cytoplasm and large nuclei. They divide actively through mitosis, contributing to the continuous growth of the plant throughout its life. The precise location and activity of emístema are tightly regulated by genetic factors and hormonal signals. Understanding emístema is fundamental to comprehending plant development, morphology, and growth patterns.