Question

Define growth, differentiation, development, dedifferentiation, redifferentiation, determinate growth, meristem, and growth rate.

Answer 1

Hint: Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to plant growth and development. Intrinsic factors are chemical substances also known as plant growth regulators. Extrinsic factors are light, temperature, nutrition, etc. Plant development is a broad term including a broader spectrum of processes.

Complete answer:
In this is a specific question we should know that in plants different differentiation and developmental events are controlled by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
Some of the terms related to the development of plant are discussed below:

Growth: Growth occurs in plants as the stem and roots of the plants elongate. It not alone happens in length but also in width especially in woody plants like Eucalyptus, Banyan, and Mango tree, etc. It is an irreversible process; a permanent increase in the size of plant cells and tissues is due to the synthesis of intracellular and extracellular material.

Differentiation: It is the process in which different types of cells arise from precursor cells and perform specific functions.

Development: It includes all the changes that an organism goes through during its life cycle.

Dedifferentiation: The phenomenon of permanent plant cells to regain the power to be divided under various conditions.

Redifferentiation: It is considered as a phenomenon of cells becoming mature and losing their ability to divide themselves like it used to happen in dedifferentiation.

Determinate growth: It refers to limited growth. Growth stops after a certain phase.


Meristem: It is the specialized region where active cell division takes place. It has an undifferentiated cell that is capable of division and growth in plants, trees, bushes, etc.

Growth rate: It is defined as increased changes in the growth of plants that takes place per
unit. Every plant has a definite growth rate but it sometimes changes depending upon environmental factors like temperature, soil quality, moisture, and water, etc.

Note: Growth occurs in plants as the stem and roots of the plants lengthen. The growth rate in plants takes place as per unit time. Redifferentiation is the process by which dedifferentiated cells become mature and lose their ability to divide.