| meristem | <plant biology> Group of actively dividing plant cells, found as apical meristems at the tips of roots and shoots and as lateral meristems in vascular tissue (vascular cambium) and in cork tissue (phellogen). Also found in young leaves and at the bases of internodes in grasses. Consists of small nonphotosynthetic cells, with primary walls and relatively little vacuole. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| meristematic | Pertaining (in fungi) to an area (meristem) of the hyphae or of other specialised structures from which new growth occurs. Origin: G. Merisein, to divide (05 Mar 2000) |
| apical meristem | <plant biology> The meristem at the tips of stems and roots. Composed of undifferentiated cells, many of which divide to add to the plant body but the central mass (the quiescent centre) remains inert and only becomes active if the meristem is damaged. Synonym: eumeristem. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| primary meristem | <plant biology> The meristem at the tips of stems and roots. Composed of undifferentiated cells, many of which divide to add to the plant body but the central mass (the quiescent centre) remains inert and only becomes active if the meristem is damaged. Synonym: eumeristem. (18 Nov 1997) |