Question

A nail is driven in a stem of mango tree at 2 meters above the ground. At how much height, the nail will remain attached after 5 years?

• A. 3 meters
• B. 5 meters
• C. 10 meters
• D. Nail remains at same height, i.e., 2 meters

Answer 1

The correct option is D Nail remains at same height, i.e., 2 meters

Meristematic tissues are the immature tissues that are responsible for growth and development of plants. On the basis of their position, a tree has three types of meristems. The meristem present at tips of the stem, root and their branches is termed as apical meristem that makes the plant grow in length. For example, root and shoot apices. The apical meristem, which is separated from apices due to the formation of permanent tissues in between, is termed as intercalary meristem, they are internodal in position. Meristem present at the sides and causes increase in girth of the plant is termed as lateral meristem or secondary meristem, they add new cells to existing tissues or form new tissues. Therefore, after 5 years, a mango tree will increase its height from its apex due to the activity of shoot apical meristem which means that the nail will remain at the same height. This is because the tree grows in height from its apex, not from the base.
Thus, the correct answer is option D.