Apical meristem and lateral meristem difference
Apical meristem and lateral meristem are both types of plant tissues responsible for growth and development, but they differ in their locations and functions. Here are the differences between them:
1. Location:
- Apical meristem: It is found at the tips of roots and shoots, including the terminal bud (at the top of the plant) and the lateral buds (along the sides of the plant).
- Lateral meristem: It is located in the cambium, a narrow band of tissue that runs along the length of the stem and root.
2. Function:
- Apical meristem: It is responsible for primary growth in plants, promoting both vertical (shoot elongation) and underground (root elongation) growth. It produces new cells in a process called cell division or mitosis, leading to lengthening of the stem and roots.
- Lateral meristem: It is responsible for secondary growth in plants, leading to an increase in girth or thickness of stems and roots over time. This meristem produces cells that differentiate into secondary tissues like xylem and phloem, which contribute to the plant's overall structure and transport of water, nutrients, and sugars.
3. Types:
- Apical meristem: It consists of the apical meristem of the root and the apical meristem of the shoot. The shoot apical meristem gives rise to organs like leaves, flowers, and stems, while the root apical meristem allows for the growth and development of roots.
- Lateral meristem: It includes two main types: the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. The vascular cambium produces secondary xylem and secondary phloem, contributing to the growth of the plant's vascular system. The cork cambium produces the outer protective layer of the stem and root called the cork or bark.
In summary, while apical meristem is responsible for primary growth and located at the tips of roots and shoots, lateral meristem is responsible for secondary growth and located in the cambium, allowing for an increase in girth or thickness in stems and roots.