The increase in length of stems and roots in plants is due to

lateral meristem

intercalary meristem

apical meristem

secondary growth

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UPSC CAPF – 2019

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The increase in length of stems and roots in plants is primarily due to the activity of apical meristems, located at the tips of shoots and roots. This growth is known as primary growth.

– Meristems are regions of actively dividing cells in plants responsible for growth.
– Apical meristems are located at the shoot apex and root apex and are responsible for primary growth (increase in length).
– Lateral meristems (vascular cambium and cork cambium) are responsible for secondary growth (increase in girth or diameter).
– Intercalary meristems are located between mature tissues (e.g., at nodes of grasses) and contribute to elongation in those specific regions.

Primary growth results in the formation of primary tissues (epidermis, ground tissues, primary xylem, and primary phloem). Secondary growth, mediated by lateral meristems, results in the formation of secondary tissues (e.g., wood and bark), leading to an increase in thickness, common in woody plants. While intercalary meristems cause elongation, the overall increase in length of the main axis of stems and roots is driven by apical meristems.

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