Question

Meristematic cells are characterized by……………………
A. Thin cell walls and large intercellular spaces.
B. Thin cell walls and no intercellular spaces.
C. Thick cell walls and large intercellular spaces.
D. Thick cell walls and small intercellular spaces.

Answer 1

Hint:-In vascular plants, growth is a continuous process and it takes place due to the meristematic activity of the meristematic cells. These cells are the mitotic division centers and are responsible for growth of the plants. They are capable of dividing continuously to form new cells and contribute towards the growth of the plants.

Complete step-by-step solution
The meristematic cells are the cells or group of cells that possess the ability to divide through a mitotic process. They are found in many areas or locations of the vascular plants. They are found in the apex or tip of the stems and roots, in the buds and nodes. In the dicots, the meristematic cells are found in the cambium present between the xylem and the phloem. In roots of the plants, the meristematic cells are present in the tip and also in the pericycle of the roots in order to produce more branching roots.
The meristematic tissues are cells or groups of cells that are small and are densely packed. They are characterized by small cells with thin cell walls. The cell of the meristematic tissues consists of a large cell nucleus with no or very small vacuoles and the cells do not possess any spaces between them, which means they do not contain any intercellular spaces.
The meristematic cells are considered as the undifferentiated cells that divide rapidly into differentiated or specialized cells. The meristematic cells are divided into three types according to the position that they are found. The different types of meristematic cells that are found are apical meristems, lateral meristems and basal or intercalary meristems.
The apical meristematic cells are found in the apical or tip portion of the stems and the roots and are continuously dividing in a growing plant for elongation of the plant body. The apical meristem cells are associated with growing points of the plants. The lateral meristem cells divide to result in the production of cortex, pith and other related tissues and are found parallel to the sides of the stems. The intercalary meristem cells are found located in between the non-meristematic areas or organs. The intercalary meristem is also known as basal meristematic cells.
Therefore, the most correct option is option B.

Note:- The growth in plants is mainly attributed to the small undifferentiated cells known as the meristematic cells. They are responsible to mitotically divide and contribute to the growth of the plant. The meristematic cells are small in size and bear a thin cell wall. They do not possess intercellular spaces and no or very small vacuoles are present.