meristemid

Meristemid is a term used in botany to describe cells that are part of a meristem. Meristems are undifferentiated or incompletely differentiated tissues in plants that are responsible for growth. These tissues are characterized by actively dividing cells, which can develop into various specialized tissues and organs of the plant.

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

Meristemid cells are typically small, isodiametric, and have large nuclei and dense cytoplasm. They possess thin cell walls and lack vacuoles, or have very small ones. Their high metabolic activity supports their rapid cell division and differentiation capabilities. The continued activity of meristemids throughout the plant's life, or for a specific period, dictates the plant's overall size and form. Understanding meristemid function is crucial for comprehending plant development, organogenesis, and responses to environmental stimuli.