Comment upon the pericycle present in stems and roots of angiosperms.

Pericycle is a component of the ground tissue system, located inner to the endodermis.

Comparative Analysis:

Plant Part	Pericycle Characteristics
Dicot Root	• Parenchymatous cells (thin-walled, living) • Gives rise to lateral roots • Forms vascular cambium during secondary growth • Forms cork cambium
Monocot Root	• Parenchymatous cells • Gives rise to lateral roots only • No cambium formation (no secondary growth)
Dicot Stem	• Located inner to endodermis, above phloem • Present as semi-lunar patches of sclerenchyma • Non-meristematic initially • May contribute to interfascicular cambium
Monocot Stem	• Absent (not clearly demarcated) • Ground tissue not differentiated into cortex, pericycle, pith

Functional Roles:

1. Root Lateral Branch Formation:
   • Pericycle cells undergo periclinal divisions
   • Form root primordium that breaks through cortex and epidermis
   • Endogenous origin of lateral roots
2. Secondary Growth Initiation (Dicot Roots):
   • Pericycle opposite to protoxylem becomes meristematic
   • Forms part of wavy vascular cambium ring
   • Later becomes circular
3. Mechanical Support (Dicot Stems):
   • Sclerenchymatous patches provide tensile strength

NEET Relevance: Questions often ask about the origin of lateral roots (pericycle) vs. origin of lateral branches in stems (axillary buds from shoot apical meristem).