Question

Intercalary meristem is a derivative of:
A. Promeristem
B. Primary meristem
C. Lateral meristem
D. Secondary meristem

Answer 1

This meristem helps in the growth in terms of length.The intercalary meristem is made of meristematic cells that divide mitotically in the stem.

Complete Answer: Meristematic derived from the word meristos which means divided. Meristematic tissues are formed of young, compactly arranged living cells that divide and add new cells. Meristematic tissues are responsible for the development and growth in plants. They are present in plants such as tips of root, branches and shoots. They are thin-walled tissues. Nucleus is present but vacuoles are absent or present in small quantities. Intercalary meristem is one of the meristematic tissues which is located at the base of leaves and base of internodes. Intercalary meristem increases the length of organs and branches and is also responsible for the bending movement of twins. So, Intercalary meristem is a derivative of Primary Meristem because of the reason they both help in the growth in terms of length.

Additional information: Promeristem is defined as the portion of primary meristem which contains undifferentiated, thin-walled, isodiametric cells. The derivatives of promeristem are ground meristem and procambium. Primary meristem involves the division of the cell and growth process of plants. Example: Root apex and Shoot apex. Lateral meristem is found as cambium in the vascular bundles. It helps in increasing the diameter of plants. It is also known as secondary growth. Secondary meristem is one of the types of meristematic tissues and arises from the permanent tissues. These are responsible for increasing the thickness of the plants. Example: vascular cambium.

Thus, the correct is option B. i.e., Primary Meristem.

Note: Intercalary meristem occurs only in the monocots, i.e. grass. They have the ability to regrow many monocots which are grazed by many herbivores.