Definition

A type of plant tissue that can grow and develop into new cells, found at the tips of stems and roots.

Example

The meristem at the root tip allows the plant to grow deeper into the soil.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a meristem in plants?

Yeah, I think it's where new growth happens, right?

Exactly! It's like the plant's growth center.

That's so cool! I didn't know plants had something like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Meristem → It is formed from "meristos" (Greek, meaning divided or part) and "stem" (from Old English "stem", meaning trunk or stalk). The word "meristem" refers to a region of plant tissue that is capable of cell division and growth, essentially a part of the plant that can divide and form new structures.

Memory Tip

Think of 'meristos' meaning 'divided' and 'stem' as the trunk of a plant — a meristem is a part of the plant that can grow and divide to form new parts.

Visually Confused Words