Question

For an increase in girth of the stem and thickness of the root,

• A. meristem located at the base of nodes and internodes is responsible
• B. meristem located in the root apex and the shoot apex is responsible
• C. meristem located on the sides of the root and shoot tissues are responsible
• D. only vascular bundle is responsible

Answer 1

The correct option is C meristem located on the sides of the root and shoot tissues are responsible

Increase in the girth of the stem and the thickness of the root is seen during the secondary growth of a dicot plant. Lateral meristems which are found along the sides of the stem and roots are responsible for the secondary growth. They help in forming the permanent tissues such as secondary xylem and secondary phloem.

The apical meristems, which are found in the root and the shoot apices and the intercalary meristems , which are found at the base of the nodes and the internodes help in increasing the height of the plant.

Vascular bundles without a secondary meristem (cambium) cannot help in secondary growth.