Question

Which action is taking place at the apical meristem of a plant stem?

A. Mature cells differentiate into specialized cells.

B. The plant's oldest cells rapidly divide to extend the stem.

C. A cluster of tiny, unspecialized cells continuously divide.

D. Cells die off and form a barrier that protects new cells.

Answer 1

Answer: C

Explanation: The apical meristem is a region at the tip of a plant's stem or root that contains a cluster of tiny, unspecialized cells called meristematic cells. These cells are capable of dividing rapidly, allowing the plant to grow in length. As the cells at the tip of the stem or root differentiate and mature, they become specialized for different functions, such as photosynthesis or support. The apical meristem is responsible for the primary growth of a plant, which is the growth in length that occurs during its early stages of development.