Question

Select the correct option:
Vascular cambium and cork cambium are the examples of
A. Apical meristem
B. Lateral meristem
C. Intercalary meristem
D. Promeristem

Answer 1

Hint: The meristem is a type of tissue that is found in plants. Meristem consists of cells that never lose their ability to divide. Meristematic cells are oval, polygonal and rectangular in shape. There are no intercellular spaces present between the cells in the meristem.

Complete Answer:
1. Apical meristem: Apical meristems in plants found at the tips of roots and shoots.
- It is the growth region of a plant.
- Apical meristems allow the growth of shoot upside and root downward in the soil.
- Apical meristem present at the root is called the Root apical meristem(RAM) and the apical meristem present at the shoot is called the Shoot Apical meristem(SAM).
- Apical meristem is a cluster of densely packed and undifferentiated cells.
Example – shoot apex and root apex.

2. Lateral meristems: Lateral meristem is located along the side of stem, root, or branches.
- Lateral meristem is responsible for the increase in diameter of stem , root or any branch.
 Example – vascular cambium and cork cambium.

3. Intercalary meristem: Intercalary meristems are located at the internodes or at the base of the leaves of a plant.
- The intercalary meristems help to grow plants in length in the middle position.
- It is associated with the growth in the middle position, so its name is intercalary meristem.
Example – base of node, base of internodes, base of leaves, etc.

4. Promeristem: Promeristem is the group of young meristematic cells of a growing organ.
- Promeristem is the early embryonic meristem which gives rise to other advanced meristems.
Example – pro cambium
Therefore, it is clear from the above discussion that the vascular cambium and cork cambium are the examples of Lateral meristem.

Hence, option B is the right answer for this question.

Note: Both the cork cambium and vascular cambium are secondary meristems i.e. they allow secondary growth. These cambium are formed in the stems and roots. The vascular cambium is responsible for increasing the diameter of stem and roots and it also forms woody tissues. And cork cambium is responsible for the production of bark.