Question

Why differentiation in plants is said to be open?

Answer 1

The conversion of undifferentiated cells into discrete permanent forms with specific functions is called as differentiation. Thus, during differentiation a change in structure and function of cells is observed. In higher plants, meristems are found at specific locations. Thus, growth is said to be of open type. These meristems, as we know, are capable of continuous cell division resulting in the formation of new cells. Despite the fact that the newly formed cells in a plant

• have same genetic make up
• are all exposed to the same environmental factors

they carry out varied functions depending upon their location in the plant body. Thus, differentiation is said to be open in higher plants. This differentiation is controlled by internal cellular mechanisms which restrain the expression of certain genes simultaneously allowing the expressions of others.