Question

The quiescent centre in root meristem serves as a:
A. Site for storage of food, which is utilized during maturation
B. Reservoir for growth hormones
C. Reserve for replenishment of damaged cells of meristem
D. Region for absorption of water

Answer 1

Meristem is that part of the plant which undergoes continuous cell division. The meristematic cells are usually located at the apex of the plant parts where growth occurs. Now quiescent centre is present on the root hair or more precisely at the root apex.

Complete answer:
To solve the given question, we must be very well aware of the quiescent center present at the root meristem.
Meristematic cells are those cells where active cell division takes place. These cells have a prominent nucleus and dense cytoplasm. Meristematic cells help in plant growth. There is a quiescent centre present at the root meristem.
The Quiescent Centre concept was given by Clowes in 1956 in Maize. According to this concept, there is an inactive centre at the root apex. This place is known as the quiescent centre. It is a reservoir of active cells. The quiescent centre contains low DNA, RNA and proteins.

Since, it is the place where cell division takes place only when the root cells get injured and hence the correct answer to the question is that the quiescent centre acts as the reserve for replenishment of damaged cells of meristem.

Note: There is an inverted cup-like structure present at the apex of the root hair. This is known as the quiescent centre. This is the region of very low mitotic activity. The quiescent centre remains surrounded by the actively dividing cells. These cells form different structures of the root.