Question

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

Choose the correct option.

• A. Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct answer for the assertion
• B. Both assertion and reason are correct but the reason is not the correct answer for the assertion
• C. The assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect
• D. Both assertion and reason are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both assertion and reason are correct but the reason is not the correct answer for the assertion

Apical meristems are found in the root and shoot apex of a plant. They are responsible for the increase in the length of the plant.

Intercalary meristems are the leftover cells of the apical meristems and are responsible for the elongation of the internodes. It is also responsible for the increase in the length of the plants.

Lateral meristems are the secondary meristems and it includes the cambium (both cork and vascular cambium). It helps in increasing the girth of the plants or the transverse growth of the plants.