Question

Read the following statements regarding plant growth:
A. Plant growth is generally indeterminate.
B. Meristems are responsible for plant growth.
C. Growth occurs only due to cell enlargement.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Only A and B are correct
• B. Only B and C are correct
• C. Only A and C are correct
• D. A, B and C are correct Correct Answer: (A) Only A and B are correct

Hint:

Be on high alert for absolute qualifiers like "only", "always", or "never" in biological statements! Growth is a multifaceted process requiring cell division to provide the raw numbers, and cell enlargement to provide the physical volume. One cannot function without the other!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plant growth is a unique biological process characterized by a permanent, irreversible increase in the size of an organism, its organs, or individual cells. Unlike animals, which exhibit determinate growth (stopping at a definitive adult stage), plants possess open, dynamic systems. Growth at the cellular level involves multiple sequential developmental phases rather than just a single metabolic mechanism.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze each statement independently to evaluate its scientific accuracy: - Statement A: "Plant growth is generally indeterminate." (Correct) Plants retain an extraordinary capacity for unlimited growth throughout their entire life cycle. This open form of development occurs because they keep active embryonic tissues at specific locations, allowing them to constantly add new organs like leaves, branches, and roots. - Statement B: "Meristems are responsible for plant growth." (Correct) The specialized regions of active, self-renewing, and rapidly dividing cells are called meristems. The continuous addition of new cells to the plant body is driven entirely by these localized tissues. - Statement C: "Growth occurs only due to cell enlargement." (Incorrect) Cellular growth actually takes place in three distinct, sequential steps: 1. Phase of Cell Division (Merismatic): Cells constantly multiply via mitosis. 2. Phase of Cell Elongation (Enlargement): Cells uptake water into large vacuoles, expanding their physical volume. 3. Phase of Cell Maturation (Differentiation): Cells thicken their walls and specialize for specific functional structural roles. The word "only" makes this statement false, as enlargement cannot sustain growth without continuous cell division. Therefore, statements A and B are correct, which corresponds directly to option (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A) Only A and B are correct.