The lengthening of roots is defined as the primary growth of plants. It results from cell division in the apical meristems such as in the root tips. By con tract, the widening (or better thickening) of roots and stems refers to the secondary growth resulting from cell division in the lateral meristems such as of the cambium in woody plants.
In summary, primary growth is associated with lengthening, while secondary growth is associated with widening or thickening of plant structures. Both types of growth are essential for the overall development and structure of plants.
During initial phase of growth,apical meristem(primary meristem) is active,so the tip of root and shoot elongates.while during the later period of growth the secondary meristem is active i.e the vascular cambium is active,this increases the thickness or girth of the plant.
The lengthening of roots and stems is called primary growth. It is caused by the division of cells in the apical meristem, which is a region of undifferentiated cells at the tip of the root or shoot. The new cells are then pushed outward by the growth of older cells, causing the root or shoot to lengthen.
The widening of roots and stems is called secondary growth. It is caused by the division of cells in the vascular cambium, which is a lateral meristem located between the xylem and phloem. The new cells produced by the vascular cambium add to the thickness of the root or shoot.
In addition to primary and secondary growth, plants can also undergo tertiary growth. This is a type of growth that is caused by the division of cells in the cork cambium, which is a lateral meristem located just outside the vascular cambium. The new cells produced by the cork cambium form a protective layer called cork.
Here is a table summarizing the different types of plant growth:
All plants experience primary growth, which is the lengthening of both roots and stems. This growth occurs because of cell division in apical meristems, which may continue indefinitely in plants. Primary growth in plants is growth that takes place from the tips of roots or shoots. It leads to lengthening of roots and stems and sets the stage for organ formation. It is distinguished from secondary growth that leads to widening. Animals’ exhibit determinant growth: they grow to a specific body size and shape and then stop growing, but plants exhibit indeterminate growth: they will continue adding new organs (leaves, stems, roots) as long as they have access to the necessary resources. Apical meristem is responsible for active division of the cell, present in the tip of the root and shoots. Behind the root cap is the apical meristem which is a tissue actively dividing cells. Growth that increases the thickness of stems and branches is called secondary growth. Primary growth occurs in small areas called apical meristems. All leaves, height growth and increases in the length of branches and roots are the result of growth at the apical meristems. Primary growth in plants is growth that takes place from the tips of roots or shoots. It leads to lengthening of roots and stems and sets the stage for organ formation. It is distinguished from secondary growth that leads to widening. Plant growth takes place in well defined plant locations. Auxins are plant growth hormones found in both the roots and shoots of plants, in the shoots they promote growth whereas in the roots they inhibit it. In the shoots they cause cell elongation in the side of the cell in which they are present. The two types of geotropism are positive geotropism and negative geotropism. Positive geotropism is the downward growth of plant structures, such as roots. Negative geotropism is the upwards growth of plants, such as the shoots. Meristematic tissue is responsible for the growth processes in plants. The cells of these tissues can divide. It is found mostly at the tip of roots, stems, branches, leaves, buds where there is active growth.The region of elongation is responsible for the growth of the root in length.
The elongation of roots and stems refers to the primary type of plant growth, which is called apical growth. This process occurs in the meristematic tissues located at the tip of the roots and stems.
The expansion of roots and stems refers to a secondary type of plant growth, which is called apical growth or secondary thick growth. It occurs due to cambium — meristematic tissue, which is responsible for increasing the diameter of stems and roots.
Primary growth is the lengthening of a plant, usually taking place in the roots and stems, while secondary growth is the widening of a plant, usually in the stems and branches. Meristems are the types of tissues that control plant growth.Growth in plants occurs as the stems and roots lengthen. Some plants, especially those that are woody, also increase in thickness during their life span. The increase in length of the shoot and the root is referred to as primary growth, and is the result of cell division in the shoot apical meristem.Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction. Stems, leaves and roots are as the vegetative parts of a plant. These vegetative parts can be used in the production of new plants. Lateral meristem is the plant tissue that causes growth in the girth of the stem and root. The linear growth that increases the length of root and shoot is termed primary growth. It occurs in all seed bearing plants and also in non-seed bearing plants, like mosses and ferns. A plant laid on its side in the dark will send shoots upward when given enough time. Gravitropism ensures that roots grow into the soil and that shoots grow toward sunlight. Growth of the shoot apical tip upward is called negative gravitropism, whereas growth of the roots downward is called positive gravitropism. Arising from lateral meristems, secondary growth increases the width of the plant root or stem, rather than its length. As long as the lateral meristems continue to produce new cells, the stem or root will continue to grow in diameter. The key to plant growth is meristem, a type of plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells that can continue to divide and differentiate. Meristem allows plant stems and roots to grow longer (primary growth) and wider (secondary growth). Meristems contribute to both primary (taller/longer) and secondary (wider) growth. Primary growth is controlled by root apical meristems or shoots apical meristems, while secondary growth is controlled by the two lateral meristems, called the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. The increase in length of the shoot and the root is referred to as primary growth, and is the result of cell division in the shoot apical meristem. Secondary growth is characterized by an increase in thickness or girth of the plant, and is caused by cell division in the lateral meristem.
The growth response of both shoots and roots in plants is influenced by various environmental factors and internal regulatory mechanisms. These growth responses can be categorized into primary and secondary growth patterns. Primary growth, driven by apical meristems, is responsible for the elongation of stems and roots, while secondary growth, facilitated by lateral meristems, leads to an increase in girth in woody plants.
Lengthening of roots and stems: The increase in length of the shoot and the root is referred to as primary growth. It is the result of cell division in the shoot apical meristem. Primary growth is the initial growth in plants that leads to an increase in length of both shoots and roots. It occurs in the apical meristems, which are regions of actively dividing cells located at the tips of stems and roots. In the shoot system, primary growth leads to elongation of stems and the development of leaves and branches. Apical meristems contain meristematic tissue located at the tips of stems and roots, which enable a plant to extend in length. The apical meristem at the tip of the stem is responsible for this upward growth. In the root system, primary growth results in the elongation of roots as they push further into the soil. The apical meristem at the root tip is responsible for the downward growth of roots.
Widening of roots and stems: Secondary growth is characterized by an increase in thickness or girth of the plant. It is caused by cell division in the lateral meristem. Secondary growth, which occurs in some plants, leads to an increase in girth or diameter of stems and roots. This type of growth is particularly prominent in woody plants and is facilitated by lateral meristems such as the vascular cambium and cork cambium. Secondary growth is important to woody plants because they grow much taller than other plants and need more support in their stems and roots. Lateral meristems facilitate growth in thickness or width in a maturing plant. Lateral meristems can also be called cambia (singular = cambium). Lateral meristems are the dividing cells in secondary growth, and produce secondary tissues. Lateral meristem is the plant tissue that causes growth in the girth of the stem and root.
Apical meristem is present at the growing tips of stems and roots and increases the length of the stem and the root. The girth (width) of the stem or root increases due to lateral meristem (cambium). Roots are dynamic and their growth is strongly affected by the environmental conditions found in the root zone. To survive and grow, they need Air, Water, Non-limiting Temperature, Carbohydrates, Minerals, Space, Low Soil Density, Microbial Associations and Non-toxic soil chemistry. The increase in length of the shoot and the root is referred to as primary growth. It is the result of cell division in the shoot apical meristem. Most primary growth occurs at the apices, or tips, of stems and roots. Primary growth is a result of rapidly-dividing cells in the apical meristems at the shoot tip and root tip. Subsequent cell elongation also contributes to primary growth. Secondary growth is characterized by an increase in thickness or girth of the plant. It is caused by cell division in the lateral meristem. Secondary growth thickens the stem and roots, typically making them woody. Obstructions such as this metal post and stubs of limbs can be engulfed. The formation of secondary vascular tissues from the cambium is a characteristic feature of dicotyledons and gymnosperms. Apical meristems contain meristematic tissue located at the tips of stems and roots, which enable a plant to extend in length. Lateral meristems facilitate growth in thickness or width in a maturing plant. The key to plant growth is meristem, a type of plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells that can continue to divide and differentiate. Meristem allows plant stems and roots to grow longer and wider. Secondary growth is the growth that results from cell division in the cambia or lateral meristems and that causes the stems and roots to thicken, while primary growth is growth that occurs as a result of cell division at the tips of stems and roots, causing them to elongate, and gives rise to primary tissue.