Question

Cells of quiescent centre are characterised by

• A. Dense cytoplasm and prominent nuclei
• B. Light cytoplasm and small nuclei
• C. Dividing regularly to add to the corpus
• D. Dividing regularly to add to tunica

Answer 1

The correct option is B Light cytoplasm and small nuclei

• The quiescent centre or QC is a part of the root-promeristems that contains the initials of epidermis, cortex and stele.
  
• The cells here divide less frequently as they are inactive and are present at the pole of cortex and stele.
• The cells with QC have small dictyosomes, nuclei and nucleoli with little cytoplasm.
• These cells also have little endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and contain low concentrations of RNA, DNA and protein than the other cells of the root apex.
• So, the correct answer is 'Light cytoplasm and small nuclei'.