Question

Why does removing a terminal bud cause a plant to get bushier?

Answer 1

Hint: The terminal bud determines the growth of a plant. It has meristematic cells that keep on dividing rapidly. When it is removed, the growth of plants occurs in different directions.

Complete answer:
A bud is a small protuberance present on the stem of the plant, which later on may give rise to a flower, leaf, or shoot. The main function of a bud is to protect the newly formed leaves and branch growth. Plant growth depends on the presence of terminal bud because the terminal bud is responsible for the growth and is known as the growing tip. But when a terminal bud is removed, plant growth is affected. The secondary buds that are lateral, come into action and cause the plant growth in lateral directions, due to which the plant becomes bushier. A terminal bud is the chief growing point at the top of the stem of a plant. These buds occur at the end, or apex, of stems. It is the dominant bud. They have specialized tissue called apical meristem cells. Terminal buds are surrounded by a complex arrangement of nodes and internodes. The terminal bud helps the plant to grow longer. In temperate climate plants, the period of dormancy is extended for these terminal buds whereas, in tropical plants, the period of dormancy is either very short or absent.

Note: According to the location, buds can be divided into three types: terminal, axillary and adventitious. Axillary buds are the buds that are present in the axil of a leaf. Adventitious buds are the buds that arise from parts other than the axial and the terminal positions, for example; on a trunk, or roots.