Question

Stem of grasses and related plants elongate by the activity of

• A. Lateral meristem
• B. Apical stem
• C. Both apical and intercalary meristem
• D. Intercalary meristem

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Both apical and intercalary meristem

1) The intercalary meristem is the meristems present at the base of the internodes or at the base of nodes of stem or leaf.

• These are derived from the residual apical meristem which is present at the nodes and internodes of the stem or leaf.
  
• It helps in the elongation and growth of the plants at the nodes and internodes (stems and leaves) and also enables in the longitudinal growth of the stem and leaves in grasses.
  
• Intercalary meristems which are present at the nodes of hollow stems or culm (in sugarcane and bamboo) which allows rapid stem elongation whereas, those present at the base of most grass leaf blades allow damaged leaves to rapidly regrow.
  

2) The apical meristems are present at the shoot and root tips.

• The cells here actively divide to increase the length of shoot and root tips in plants.

So, the correct answer is 'Both apical and intercalary meristem'