DESCRIPTION OF INTERACTIVE

A diagram of a root tip for the Meristem interactive.

Root Cap

Made of living parenchyma cells, the root cap protects the meristem behind it as the root drives through the soil.

Zone of Cell Division

The location of the apical meristematic tissue. The undifferentiated cells created by the meristem continue to divide via mitosis.

Zone of Cell Elongation

The cells stop dividing in this zone, and instead, start to elongate. The cells are still undifferentiated in this region.

Zone of Cell Differentiation

As the name suggestions, the cells start to take on their specialized role within the root, such as phloem and xylem duties.