quiescent centre
Quick Summary
The quiescent centre is a region of cells in a plant's root tip with a lower division rate than surrounding meristematic cells. This unique characteristic distinguishes it from the actively dividing cells that form new tissues.1
Meristems are plant tissues responsible for growth, found at root and shoot tips (apical), in vascular and cork cambia (lateral), and at stem regions between leaf attachments (intercalary). Apical meristems drive primary growth, extending roots and shoots, while lateral meristems contribute to secondary growth, increasing girth. Meristematic cells are small, nearly spherical, with dense cytoplasm and few vacuoles. Some of these cells, called initials, maintain the meristem's continuous supply of new cells through mitosis before differentiating.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
