Question

Meristematic cells are characterized by
a) Thin cell walls, prominent nucleus and no intercellular spaces
b) Thick cell walls, prominent nucleus and large intercellular spaces
c) Thick cell walls, no nucleus and large intercellular spaces
d) thin cell walls, no nucleus and large intercellular spaces

Answer 1

Meristematic tissue is responsible for the increase in length and girth of the plant. The cells actively divide to bring about this function. The growth is by mitosis.

Complete answer: Plant tissues are classified as Meristematic and Permanent tissues on the ability to divide. Meristematic cells actively divide and thus are seen in young plants. Since these cells divide easily these are undifferentiated cells. Permanent cells are nondividing cells. These cells are specialized for different functions like transport of water and food, strength and flexibility of plants, etc.

Characteristics of Meristematic cells are:
a) Cells are living (Cell division is a characteristic feature of living cells)
b) Cells are thin-walled (so that these can divide easily)
c) These are rich in the cytoplasm and has all the organelles (The cells are young and active)
d) These lack intercellular spaces (As the cells constantly divide they are compactly arranged and thus no or less intercellular spaces is seen)
e) Have prominent nuclei (Nucleus has genetic material required for cell division)

Meristematic tissues are classified in many ways. The commonest way is based on location. These are of three types:

1. Apical meristem
2. Lateral meristem
3. Intercalary meristem

The question is about the cells of meristematic tissue. Thus as explained above, the cells have thin cell walls, prominent nucleus and are compactly arranged and thus lacks intercellular spaces

Thus, the correct option is ‘A’.

Note: Plant tissues are very different from animal tissues. In plants, the tissues are differentiated from other tissues. young plants show presence of meristematic tissues. Later on the cell of this tissue differentiate and forms permanent tissues. In animals all the tissues have independent origin from the embryonic germ layers.