Question

Define: Growth, Differentiation, Development, Dedifferentiation, Re-differentiation, Determinate growth, Meristem, Growth Rate.

Answer 1

• Growth: It can be defined as an irreversible, permanent increase in size of an organ or its parts or even of an individual cell due to synthesis of intracellular and extracellular materials.
• Differentiation: It refers to the processes in plants by which different cell types arise from precursor cells and and mature to perform specific functions.
• Development: It includes all changes that a cell, organ and an organism goes through during its life cycle.
• Dedifferentiation: The process where mature cells reverse their state of differentiation and become undifferentiated and meristematic is known as dedifferentiation.
• Re-differentiation: The process where dedifferentiated cells lose the power of division again and become mature to perform a specific function is known as re-differentiation.
• Determinate growth: Plant growth in which the main stem terminates early by the formation of a bud and stops continuing to elongate indefinitely with only branches from the main stem.
• Meristem: It is a tissue with cells capable of division and growth in plants. Examples- apical, intercalary and lateral meristem.
• Growth Rate: It can be termed as the increase in growth per unit time.