Meristem

A region of undifferentiated plant cells that divides to produce new cells for growth and tissue formation. Meristems sustain plant growth by generating cells that later specialize.

Shoot apical meristem: A meristem at a shoot tip that produces the stem, leaves, and other above-ground organs. It drives primary growth at shoot tips and initiates leaves and branches.
Plant stem cell: A plant cell capable of self-renewal and producing descendants that differentiate into specialized cell types. Stem cells maintain meristem activity while supplying cells for new tissues.
Plant tissue culture: The growth of plant cells, tissues, or organs on a sterile nutrient medium under controlled conditions. Meristematic tissues can be cultured to regenerate whole plants.
Permanent tissue: Plant tissue composed mainly of differentiated cells with specialized structures and functions. Unlike meristematic tissue, permanent tissue is generally specialized rather than actively producing new cells.
Root apical meristem: A meristem near a root tip that generates cells for root elongation and tissue formation. It extends roots through soil while replenishing their tissues.
WUSCHEL: A plant transcription factor that helps maintain stem-cell identity in the shoot apical meristem. It is part of the regulatory system that preserves the shoot stem-cell population.
Micropropagation: The rapid production of many plants from small explants using sterile tissue-culture techniques. Meristems provide compact starting material for clonal plant multiplication.
Determinate growth: Growth that ends when an organ or organism reaches a defined size or developmental stage. Many meristems sustain indeterminate growth, whereas some organs stop growing after a set stage.
Vascular cambium: A cylindrical lateral meristem that produces secondary xylem inward and secondary phloem outward. Its divisions thicken stems and roots after primary growth.
CLAVATA-WUSCHEL feedback loop: A signaling feedback system that regulates stem-cell numbers in the shoot apical meristem. It balances stem-cell maintenance against limits on meristem size.

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