Question

Cambium is a lateral meristem, as it

• A. Increases girth
• B. Forms lateral branches
• C. Lies on nodes
• D. Increases length

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Increases girth

• The secondary growth in plants occurs due to the cell division in the lateral meristems or secondary meristems that helps to increase the thickness or the girth of the plants.
  
• In vascular plants, the secondary growth occurs due to the activity of the two lateral meristems- the cork cambium and the vascular cambium.
• In woody plants, the secondary growth produces wood and gives shapes to the plant with a thickened trunk.

1. The cork cambium forms the thickened cork cells which protect the surface of the plant and also reduces water loss.
2. The vascular cambium is also known as fascicular cambium which develops within the vascular bundles that produce xylem to the inner side and phloem to the outer side

So, the correct answer is 'Increases girth'