“To get an idea of what a typical plant cell is like and what it can do, think of a large factory, capable of manufacturing thousands of different and elaborate products from simple raw materials: water, air and soil. Now, mentally squeeze the factory into a box,..approximately 1/2,000 of an inch. That is a cell.
The factory uses sunlight rather than electricity or oil as an energy source. It is designed to exert considerable autonomous control over what goes on within its boundaries and, whenever increased productivity is called for, it simply builds an exact copy of its entire physical structure within a day or two.
The seed is the survival mechanism of the plant. Within the seed is all the stored energy necessary for the new plant life and growth. The seed contains a seed coat, which is often very hard, to protect itself. The first part of the plant to emerge from under the seed coat is the radical.
MERISTEMS: (Greek meristos, divided) These are the growing points on a plant. There are four regions of meristems within a plant’s system. The terminal bud (prominent bud and top of plant) is also called the apical meristem. Within the meristem new cells are being produced, making the plant grow taller.
The hormone auxin is produced in this apical meristem that inhibits the growth of other meristems such as those in lateral buds. If the apical meristem is removed, the lateral buds will grow at a faster rate.
This is often called “pinching” and is commonly used in chrysanthemum production. The lateral buds also contain meristems that allow the lateral branches to grow. Similar to the branches, the root tips have meristems also. These meristems allow the root to “push” through the soil and create a greater root system.
Similar to the branches, the root tips have meristems also. These meristems allow the root to “push” through the soil and create a greater root system
The last meristematical region is the vascular cambium. Around the vascular system that contains the xylem and phloem there is a region of cell production. This allows the stem of the plant to grow in width. The only place in a plant where new cells are being produced is in the meristematic regions.