Meristem: Region of plant growth

• Meristem: small cells with dense cytoplasm and large nuclei; act like stem cells in animals (omnipotent)

• Apical meristem: tips of stems and roots; length growth by cell division in apical meristem ? primary tissues

• Root cap protects apical meristem in roots

• Epicotyl protects apical meristem upon seed germination

• Leaf primordia cover shoot apical meristem

• Differentiation into:

  • protoderm ? epidermis
  • procambrium ? primary xylem and phloem
  • ground meristem ? ground tissue

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