Question

Assertion :Apical and intercalary meristems contribute to the growth in length while the lateral meristems bring increase in girth in maize. Reason: Apical and intercalary meristems always increase the height of plants.

• A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
• C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
• D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

1) An apical meristem can be defined as a meristem present at the shoot tip or root tip of a plant where a plant hormone called auxin is released.

• It causes the elongation or increase in the length of shoot or root.
  
• This type of growth is called primary growth.

2) Intercalary meristem is the meristems present at the base of the internodes or at the base of nodes of stem or leaf.

• It helps in the elongation and growth of the plants at the nodes and internodes (stems and leaves) which enables longitudinal growth of the stem and leaves (grasses).

3) The lateral meristems can be defined as the meristems present on the lateral side of the central longitudinal axis of the stem and the root of a plant.

• It helps to increase the thickness of the plants.
• This type of growth is called secondary growth.
  
• Maize is a monocot and therefore, no secondary growth occurs in them.
• So, the correct answer is 'Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect'.