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What does the term "meristem" mean and who coined it?

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

The term "meristem" refers to regions of plant tissue containing undifferentiated cells capable of continuous division and growth. These specialized tissues are responsible for plant growth throughout the plant's lifetime. The term was coined by Carl Wilhelm von Nägeli, a Swiss botanist, in 1858. Meristems are essential for both primary growth (increase in length) and secondary growth (increase in girth) in plants. They remain perpetually embryonic, producing new cells that differentiate into various specialized tissues. Understanding meristematic tissues is fundamental to comprehending how plants develop, regenerate, and respond to environmental conditions.

General · Class 12