Question

Cells of quiescent centre are characterized 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

Answer: (B)

Light cytoplasm and small nuclei

• The quiescent centre is that part of the root-promeristems that contains the initials of epidermis, cortex and stele.
  
• These cells 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'.