Difference between apical meristem and lateral meristem

The main difference between the apical meristem and the lateral meristem is that the apical meristem discusses a meristem at the apex of the root or shoot of a plant that produces auxin and initiates the shoot or root to increase in length. While the lateral meristem refers to a meristem that is arranged in parallel to the sides of an organ and is responsible for the increase in the diameter of the organ.

Apical meristem versus lateral meristem

The apical meristem participates in the primary growth of the plant that rises along the apex, while the lateral meristem participates in the later development of the plant that grows in diameter. The apical meristem is the meristem tissue at the top of the stem and roots, which is responsible for the primary growth of the plant, while the lateral meristem is the meristem tissue at the margins of the stems and roots, which is responsible for growth. secondary of the plant. The apical meristem rises along the plant at the apex of the stem and roots, but the lateral meristem increases the diameter of the stem and roots. The apical meristem contains procambium, protoderm and ground meristem, on the other hand, the meristem lateral includes cork cambium and vascular cambium. The apical meristem gives an increase in xylem, epidermis, phloem, and the reverse ground tissue, the lateral meristem gives rise to the inner bark, the wood and the outer bark. The apical meristem allows the plant to develop into unique structures like leaves and flowers, but the lateral meristem allows the plant to grow stronger. The apical meristem occurs in all plant species, while the lateral meristem is absent in horsetails and mosses.

Comparative chart

The apical meristem is the area of ​​plant growth present within the tips of the roots and the upper part of the new shoots and leaves. The apical meristem is a group of dense bundle and undifferentiated cells. It involves the main growth of the plant by increasing the length of the plant. Apical is an explanation of the progress that occurs at the tips of the plant, both at the top and at the bottom. The apical meristem is responsible for producing cells and growth to propel the plant into light and air, where it can photosynthesize and exchange gases. Cells in the apical meristem do not generalize and divide sharply to produce new cells throughout the life of the plant, but the cells in the center of the plant constantly lose their dividing power and become a stable tissue, these cells become vacuolated and expand by absorbing water. Soil conditions around the roots are being sensed and signals are being created within the apical meristem that directs the plant toward the desired water and nutrients. The primary central cells of the apical meristem are first differentiating into procambium protoderm and ground meristem. The vascular tissue, phloem and xylem of the plant are separating from the procambium. The protoderm is divided into epidermis. The ground meristem is differentiating into ground tissue that stores food in the form of starch and supports the plant. Its main function is to activate the growth of new cells in new seedlings at the tips of roots and developing shoots and buds. The primary central cells of the apical meristem are first differentiating into procambium protoderm and ground meristem. The vascular tissue, phloem and xylem of the plant are separating from the procambium. The protoderm is divided into epidermis. The ground meristem is differentiating into ground tissue that stores food in the form of starch and supports the plant. Its main function is to activate the growth of new cells in new seedlings at the tips of roots and developing shoots and buds. The primary central cells of the apical meristem are first differentiating into procambium protoderm and ground meristem. Vascular tissue, the phloem and xylem of the plant are separating from the procambium. The protoderm is divided into epidermis. The ground meristem is differentiating into ground tissue that stores food in the form of starch and supports the plant. Its main function is to activate the growth of new cells in new seedlings at the tips of roots and developing shoots and buds.

The lateral meristem is located next to the stem and roots involved in secondary growth. Secondary growth occurs only in dicots. The lateral meristem is present in all woody plants and is responsible for the thickening of the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. The vascular cambium produces both secondary xylem and phloem. The secondary xylem originates within the stem tissue and is known as wood, and the secondary phloem is created at the boundary of the stem that provides the inner bark. Differential growth of the vascular cambium provides annual rings on the stem. They provide secondary tissues of a vascular cambium circle in stems and roots. The cork cambium is closer to the surface, it produces the outer crust. It serves as a secondary lateral meristem.

Key differences

1. The apical meristem is the meristem tissue at the tip of the stem and roots, responsible for the primary growth of the plant, while the lateral meristem is the meristem tissue at the margins of the roots and stems, which is responsible for the secondary growth of plant.
2. The apical meristem increases the length of the plant at the apex of the stem and roots, while the lateral meristem increases the diameter of the stem and roots.
3. The apical meristem contains procambium, protoderm and ground meristem, on the other hand, the lateral meristem comprises vascular cambium and cork cambium.
4. The apical meristem increases the epidermis, phloem, xylem and soil tissue, conversely, the lateral meristem increases wood, inner bark and outer bark.
5. The apical meristem allows the plant to grow into unique structures such as flowers and leaves, but the lateral meristem allows the plant to grow in height making it stronger.
6. The apical meristem occurs in all plant phyla on the other side the lateral meristem is absent in mosses and horsetails.

Above this discussion, it is concluded that the apical meristem is the area of ​​growth in plants present within the tips of the roots and the tips of the new shoots and leaves, while the lateral meristem refers to a meristem that is organizes parallel to the margins of an organ responsible for increasing the diameter of the organ.