Question

The cambium is an example of
A. Lateral meristem
B. Intercalary meristem
C. Apical meristem
D. Primary meristem

Answer 1

Meristem is the plant tissue which has the capability of exhibiting endless divisions and divisions. It is made up of undifferentiated mass of cells which are metabolically active. Young cells have the power of rapid divisions.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Meristematic cells are undifferentiated tissue which are isodiametric shaped. Both cytoplasm and nuclei are present. They contain deeply compact living cells which bear rapid divisions. Examples of proper differentiated cells are the leaves of Crassulaceae. Meristem cells are divided according to the origin and position in the body of the plant. According to origin- Primary and Secondary meristem Primary meristem- A primary meristem emerges from embryonic cells and possess the activity of meristematic cells. It develops into the stable primary tissue. Secondary meristem- Secondary meristem emerges from the permanent tissue without the pro meristem. These tissues are named as secondary meristem as they come into existence from the permanent cells. Secondary tissues are developed in the plant body by the secondary meristem with the addition of unique cells for the proper repair and protection. According to position- Apical meristem, Lateral meristem and intercalary meristem Apical meristem- Apical meristem is positioned at the apex of root, leaves and stem. It is mostly found in the growing tips. The main function of apical meristem is the linear expansion of the organ. It has been found that the Gymnosperms and the Pteridophytes contain the pool of cells. Intercalary meristem-Intercalary meristem are found at the midst of the permanent tissue regions. We cannot define them as normal meristems as they are seen in the internodes of vascular plants or at the sheathing of the leaf. Commonly seen in the ground of nodes (e.g.-Mint). Intercalary meristem at last abandon and turn into permanent tissues. Lateral meristem- Lateral meristem arises laterally in the axis or are at the parallel to the shoot or roots. They divide in only one plane called periclinal plane and boost the diameter of the plant organ. Example of lateral meristem is the thickening meristem (Primary and secondary thickening meristem) and vascular cambium and cork cambium. Primary and secondary thickening meristem give rise to the vascular bundles and the ground tissue. Cambium gives rise to secondary xylem and phloem. In the vascular plant tissues vascular cambium are present in the lateral meristem. It goes through the secondary growth.

Therefore the correct answer is A.

Note: In the dicots stem and roots vascular cambium is in the middle of xylem and phloem and helps in the secondary xylem and phloem growth whereas coming to monocots palm, bamboos do not have vascular cambium so they is no secondary growth in them.