AP BIOLOGY

PLANTS

PLANT TISSUE

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Why is secondary growth important to plant?
A
To make sure the plant absorbs sufficient amount of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
B
To ensure that the plant is resistant to pathogen
C
To help the plant grow infinitely
D
To increase the diameter of both stem and root for additional mechanical support
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Secondary tissues are formed in secondary growth to provide Protection (by cork), mechanical strength (by secondary xylem), conduction of water, and nutrients ( by secondary xylem and secondary phloem). Secondary growth is characterized by an increase in the thickness or girth of the plant.

Detailed explanation-2: -Secondary growth is the outward growth of the plant, making it thicker and wider. 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 are the dividing cells in secondary growth, and produce secondary tissues.

Detailed explanation-3: -The vascular cambium is responsible for increasing the diameter of stems and roots and for forming woody tissue. The cork cambium produces some of the bark.

Detailed explanation-4: -Secondary growth causes the plant to grow in width due to the presence of lateral meristems or cambium layer which actively divides to bring about this kind of growth.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.

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