What tissue is the site of cell division and active growth in the stem?

What tissue is the site of cell division and active growth in the stem?

• A. Cambium
• B. Phloem
• C. Node
• D. Corm

Answer: (A)

Stem growth occurs where cells are actively dividing in meristematic tissue. In stems, the cambium is a lateral meristem located between the xylem and phloem that continuously divides to produce new vascular tissues. This activity adds layers and increases the stem’s girth, which is the active growth the question is referring to. Phloem and xylem are the tissues produced by cambial activity, not the sites of ongoing division themselves. A node is simply a point on the stem where leaves or buds attach, and a corm is a storage stem, not the main site of growth. Thus, cambium best fits the description of the tissue driving ongoing stem growth.

Stem growth occurs where cells are actively dividing in meristematic tissue. In stems, the cambium is a lateral meristem located between the xylem and phloem that continuously divides to produce new vascular tissues. This activity adds layers and increases the stem’s girth, which is the active growth the question is referring to. Phloem and xylem are the tissues produced by cambial activity, not the sites of ongoing division themselves. A node is simply a point on the stem where leaves or buds attach, and a corm is a storage stem, not the main site of growth. Thus, cambium best fits the description of the tissue driving ongoing stem growth.