Question

Root apex and shoot apex represent the

• A. geometric growth
• B. arithmetic growth
• C. phenotype plasticity
• D. dedifferentiation

Answer 1

The correct option is B arithmetic growth

Arithmetic growth is a type of growth in which the rate of growth is constant and increase in growth occurs in arithmetic progression. The meristematic cells at the growing point divide in such a fashion that one daughter remains meristematic while the other grows and differentiates. Root apex and shoot apexconsist of meristematic cells and thus exhibit arithmetic growth.

The geometric growth does not occur at a constant rate. Here, all the progeny cells retain the ability to divide. It is a common occurance in unicellular organisms.

Phenotype plasticity is the ability of an organism to change in response to an external stimuli.

Dedifferentiation is the process in which differentiated cells (cells that mature to perform a specific function) regain the capacity to divide under certain conditions like stress conditions, wounding, etc.