Question

Pith is produced by the activity of
A. Lateral Meristem
B. Protoderm
C. Procambium
D. Ground meristem

Answer 1

Hint: The plants grow with the cells which differentiate and divide. The apical meristem cells grow the plant longitudinally. They develop until the time when the permanent cells are formed which have lost the capability to divide and differentiate. Some plants develop throughout life but some cease at a particular time.

Complete answer:
Pith is the tissue in stems of vascular plants. It has spongy parenchyma cells, which can store and transport nutrients through the plant. It is located at the centre of the stem.
Option A: Lateral Meristem: It is the cambium parallel to the sides of the organ and is held responsible for the increase in diameter of the organ.
Option B. Protoderm: The primary meristem in vascular plants that increase the epidermis. It will differentiate into the epidermis (it protects the plant).
Option C. Procambium: It is the meristematic tissue with primary tissues of the vascular system. It is adjacent to the protoderm. The cells of procambium make the primary xylem and primary phloem.
Option D. Ground meristem: It is the primary meristematic tissue developing from the supplement. The ground tissues – non-vascular tissues arise from their meristematic tissue. It will develop into the pith. This pith is tissue in vascular plants for transporting nutrients. It has a different location in monocots and dicots.

So the answer is option D: Ground meristem.

Note: There are three types of meristems- protoderm, epidermis and ground meristem. They all form ground tissue with parenchymatous cells, collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells. All the meristems develop into different systems of the plant. Meristem has a unique feature of the growth of cells in seedlings.