Question

Define fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium.

Answer 1

Hint: The word cambium refers to the parallel arrangement of meristematic cells between the vascular bundle xylem and phloem. A fascicular cambium is also called intrafascicular cambium. Meristematic cells are responsible for the growth of plants. The fusion of fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium forms the vascular cambium.

Complete step by step answer: Vascular cambium is considered as the main growth tissue in the roots and stems of many plants mainly in dicots and gymnosperms and also in some vascular plants. Cambium is responsible for the production of secondary xylem inwards that is towards the pith and growth of secondary phloem outwards that is towards the bark. They do not transport water, food, or minerals like xylem and phloem. Cambium can be referred to as meristematic cells found between the xylem and phloem of vascular bundles. Cambium is responsible for the production of vascular tissues in plants and hence named vascular cambium. Vascular cambium is of two types and is based on the location where it is present. The cambium present in the vascular bundle between the conducting tissue xylem and phloem is called a fascicular cambium. It is also called intrafascicular cambium as it is found within the vascular bundle. The cambium present between two vascular bundles is called an interfascicular cambium. It is referred to as a secondary meristem. During the secondary growth of plants, the fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium fuses together to form vascular cambium.

Note: The fascicular cambium or intrafascicular cambium is the primary meristem of plants and interfascicular cambium is the secondary meristem of plants. The hormones which are responsible for plant growth are called phytohormones which include auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene.