Question

In Casuarina, the root apical meristem has sets of initials
A. Four
B. One
C. Three
D. Two

Answer 1

Hint: Casuarina is a family of oak tree trees belonging to the Casuarinaceae family. Casuarinas is a diverse group of plants with a wide range of adaptability to thrive in various habitats and to have numerous end uses and services.

Complete Answer:
- The word "meristem" was coined by Carl Wilhelm von Nägeli. Meristematic tissue comprises undifferentiated cells, which form the building blocks of specialised plant structures. Meristematic tissues contain living cells of different shapes. They have a large nucleus without a vacuole. The cells do not have any intercellular space. The region where these cells live is known as meristem.
- Root apical meristem is the origin of new root growth cells. Within the root apical meristem, the stem cell niche retains pluripotent stem cells to keep the right amount of cells for continuous root growth.
- Apical Meristem is found at the tips of the roots and shoots and tends to raise the height of the plants. Apical root development involves iterative processes for cell division, elongation and differentiation.
- Casuarina is also known as ironwood. Both cells in the root structure can be traced back to a few apical cells called initials. Just two rows of initials are identified at the root apex in Casuarina. One of its layers inevitably leads to the stele and the other to the cortex and the root cap.

The correct answer is option D, two.

Note: Casuarina has only a few large insects and diseases that can contribute to economic losses. The typical insect problem in Casuarina plantation is the stem borer attack.