I.

Growth
A. Types of Growth
1. Indeterminate Growth - plant growth in which the main stem continues to
elongate indefinitely without being limited by a terminal inflorescence or
other reproductive structure
2. Determinate Growth - reach a certain plant height and then stop growing
due to the Root Apical Meristem (RAM) being exhausted
B. How Does Growth Happen?
1. Cell Division (REFER TO TOPIC 4)
2. Cell Elongation
- this occurs in localized regions called meristems which are found
at root and shoot tips
- caused by a plant hormone called auxin which promote cell
growth
3. Cell Differentiation
a) Parenchyma Cells - mostly used for storage & photosynthesis and
have thin walls
b) Collenchyma Cells - flexible support and have irregular walls
c) Sclerenchyma Cells - strength and support with dead cells and
thick walls containing lignin
(1) Fibers - greatly elongated cells whose long, tapering ends
interlock, thus providing maximum support to a plant and
tapered
(2) Sclereids - short, round or oval, isodiametric or irregular
cells that may be branched or unbranched and blunt
 C. Meristems
1. Apical Meristem
- the meristematic tissue in the apex of stem and roots, which is
responsible for the primary growth of the plant.
- extension of shoots and roots
2. Lateral Meristem
- the meristematic tissue in the sides of stems and roots, which is
responsible for the secondary growth of the plant
- increase in stem girth and thickness

II. Classification of Tissues

A. Simple vs. Complex
1. Simple Tissues
- composed of one type of cell
- parenchyma, sclerenchyma and collenchyma
- storage, secretion, tissue repair, photosynthesis
2. Complex Tissues
- composed of more than one type of cell
- Xylem, used to conduct water, and Phloem, used to transport food
- only found in vascular regions of the plants
B. Meristematic vs Permanent
1. Meristematic
- cells divide repeatedly
- cells are undifferentiated
- small and isodiametric
- cell walls are thin
 - vacuoles are absent
- Intercellular spaces are absent
2. Permanent
- cells do not divide
- cells are fully differentiated
- cells are variable in shape
- intercellular spaces are present
- vacuoles are present
- cell walls are thick or thin

III. Tissue Systems in Vascular Plants

A. Protoderm - the primary meristem in vascular plants that gives rise to epidermis
1. Dermal Tissue System
- consists of the epidermis and periderm
- epidermis is the outer protective layer of the primary plant body,
consists of pavement cells, guard cells, and subsidiary cells
- periderm acts as armor protecting the plant's inner tissues from
biotic and abiotic stress, forms during thickening of stem and
roots, consists of phellem, phellogen, and phelloderm cells
B. Ground Meristem - produces the pith and cortex (all tissues except epidermis and
vascular bundles) and composed of parenchyma, collenchyma, and
sclerenchyma cells
1. Ground Tissue System
a) Parenchyma Tissue - photosynthesis in the leaves, and storage in
the roots
b) Collenchyma Tissue - shoot support in areas of active growth
c) Sclerenchyma Tissue - shoot support in areas where growth has
ceased
C. Procambium - gives rise to the vascular tissues, which functions in transport
1. Vascular Tissue System
a) Xylem
- the tissue of vascular plants that transports water and nutrients
from the soil to the stems and leaves
- also provide strengthening
- carries upward from the roots to the leaves
- xylem tracheary (vessel) elements, xylary fibres, and xylem
parenchyma cells
b) Phloem
- carries food downward from the leaves to the roots
- composed of sieve elements, phloem fibers, and phloem
parenchyma cells