kasvukudoksen

Kasvukudos, also known as meristematic tissue, is a fundamental component of plant anatomy responsible for growth. This type of tissue is characterized by actively dividing cells that differentiate into various other plant tissues. Meristems are found in specific regions of the plant, enabling continuous or localized growth.

There are two primary types of meristematic tissue: apical meristems and lateral meristems. Apical meristems are located at the tips of roots and shoots, facilitating primary growth, which increases the length of the plant. This is crucial for the plant to reach sunlight and absorb nutrients from the soil. Lateral meristems, such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium, are responsible for secondary growth, increasing the girth or diameter of the plant. This type of growth is particularly prominent in woody plants, contributing to the formation of bark and wood.

The cells within meristems are typically small, isodiametric (similar in all dimensions), and possess thin cell walls. They have dense cytoplasm and prominent nuclei, with few or no vacuoles. Their primary function is cell division through mitosis, a process that produces new cells. As these new cells mature and move away from the meristem, they undergo differentiation, specializing into various cell types that form the plant's permanent tissues, such as xylem, phloem, epidermis, and parenchyma. The precise regulation of cell division and differentiation in meristems is vital for the proper development and overall form of the plant.