Final answer:
The statement that is NOT accurate about the shoot apical meristem is option D, which inaccurately claims that it is found in the central region of the seedling. The shoot apical meristem is located at the shoot tips.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the characteristics of the shoot apical meristem, a region in plants responsible for growth. To identify which statement is NOT accurate about the shoot apical meristem, we need to examine each option:
- A. its central zone maintains actively dividing cells
- B. it gives rise to stems, leaves, and flowers
- C. its peripheral zone contains dividing and differentiating cells
- D. it is found in the central region of the seedling
- E. it has an organizing center that preserves the correct number of stem cells
All of these statements except for D are accurate descriptions of the shoot apical meristem. Option D, stating that the shoot apical meristem is found in the central region of the seedling, is NOT accurate. The shoot apical meristem is actually located at the tips of shoots, not in the central region of the seedling. Therefore, the correct answer is D.