Question

Development is considered as:

• A. The sum of growth and differentiation
• B. The difference between growth and differentiation
• C. The product of growth and differentiation
• D. The ratio of growth to differentiation

Answer 1

The correct option is A The sum of growth and differentiation

Growth is defined as the irreversible constant increase in the size of an organ or an individual cell. It is the most important characteristic of living organisms. Growth is a result of various metabolic processes happening inside a body or a cell. In plants, the growth is indefinite i.e., plants keep on growing. An example of growth is the increase in the length of a tree.

Development is a term that includes all changes in an organism during its life cycle like in plants, from the germination of the seed to senescence. It is considered as the sum of growth and differentiation.

Differentiation is the process by which a cell gets matured to perform a specific function. In this process, cells undergo structural changes in the cell walls, and the protoplasm, e.g, a plant cell loses its protoplasm to form a tracheary element. They develop strong, elastic, secondary cell walls to transport water to long distances.