New cells
in plants specialise into cells of
roots, leaves or flowers.
Unlike animal cells some plant cells
remain unspecialised and can develop
into any type of plant cell.
The presence of these unspecialised
cells means that clones of a plant
with desirable features can be produced
from cuttings.
Unlike animals, most plants continue
to grow in height and width throughout
their lives.
Plant meristems divide to produce
cells that result in increased height,
length of roots, and girth of the plant.
If the hormonal conditions in their
environment are changed, unspecialised
plant cells can develop into a range
of other tissues.
This includes xylem and phloem and
organs such as leaves, roots and flowers.
Small pieces of plant tissue (explants)
can be treated with hormones. They
develop into whole plants. These plants
are a clone of the parent plant.
Phototropism increases the plant’s
chance of survival.
Light affects the distribution of auxin
in the shoot tip. The auxin spreads unevenly,
producing uneven growth towards the light. |
