Final answer:
Lateral roots are associated with primary growth, not secondary growth. Secondary growth in angiosperms involves an increase in plant thickness or girth and is due to cell division of lateral meristems such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lateral roots are not considered secondary growth; rather, they are a part of primary growth. Secondary growth refers to an increase in the girth or thickness of the plant, which is caused by the division of cells in lateral meristems such as the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. These meristems contribute to the radial increase in thickness by producing secondary xylem and phloem, adding to the diameter of the plant and creating woody tissues.
Secondary growth is significant in woody plants and is what gives trees their sturdy trunks, contributing to the formation of wood and bark. In contrast, lateral roots are the result of apical meristems, which are primarily involved in the elongation and increase in the length of roots but not their thickness. Therefore, the claim that lateral roots count as secondary growth in angiosperms is false.