Where are new cells formed through mitosis and growth occurs?

Where are new cells formed through mitosis and growth occurs?

• A. Phloem
• B. Xylem
• C. Lenticels
• D. Meristems

Answer: (D)

Growth in plants happens in meristems, regions where cells stay actively dividing and undifferentiated. Through mitosis, these cells produce new cells that become all the other tissues of the plant. Apical meristems at the tips drive primary growth, making stems and roots longer, while lateral meristems enable secondary growth to thicken woody stems. The listed tissues—phloem and xylem—are differentiated vascular tissues produced from meristem activity, not the sites of ongoing cell division themselves. Lenticels are structures for gas exchange and aren’t growth sites. So, the place where new cells form through mitosis and drive growth is meristems.

Growth in plants happens in meristems, regions where cells stay actively dividing and undifferentiated. Through mitosis, these cells produce new cells that become all the other tissues of the plant. Apical meristems at the tips drive primary growth, making stems and roots longer, while lateral meristems enable secondary growth to thicken woody stems. The listed tissues—phloem and xylem—are differentiated vascular tissues produced from meristem activity, not the sites of ongoing cell division themselves. Lenticels are structures for gas exchange and aren’t growth sites. So, the place where new cells form through mitosis and drive growth is meristems.