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25
The rice seedlings infected with fungus Gibberella fujikuroi is called foolish seedlings? What was the reason behind it?
Explanation
The fungus Gibberella fuijkuroi when infects rice plant, it causes increase in internodal area of rice so, that the rice plant become foolishly tall as compored to normal ones. This is because this fungi produces GA in considerably higher amounts which causes over growth of rice plants thus, causing foolish disease.
26
Nicotiana tobacum, a short day plant, when exposed to more than critical period of light fails to flower. Explain.
Explanation
Short day plants are those plants that flower only when the photoperiod (exposure to duration of light) is below critical period. Tobacco, being a short day plant is unable to show flowering when exposed to light above than the critical period.
27

What are the structural characteristics of

(a) meristematic cells near root tip

(b) the cells in the elongation zone of the root

Explanation

(a) Meristematic cells near root tip the cells of this region are called Root Apical Meristems (RAM) and are in active state of division, thus their number increases continuously. The cells of this region are thin walled with dense cytoplasm and large nucleus. They have the ability to divide and self perpetuate.

(b) The Cells in the Elongation Zone of the Root This region is situated just above the meristematic zone. In the cells of this zone, a large number of small vacuoles develop and later these vacuoles fuse to form one large central vacuole filled with cell sap. The cells are elongated in this region.

28
Does the growth pattern in plants differ from that in animals? Do all the parts of plant grow indefinitely? If not, name the regions of plant, which can grow indefinitely.
Explanation
Growth in plants is of indeterminate type, i.e., plant grow through out their life because of presence of meristematic tissues present in specific parts of plant i.e., apical intercalary and lateral. These tissue has ability to divide continuously and contribute to localised plant growth. Growth in animals They have limited growth period after which further growth of their body stops. All the parts of the plant do not grow indefinitely. The root apex and shoot apex having apical meristematic tissues keep growing, thus contributing to the elongation of plant axis-(height).
29

Explain in 2-3 lines each of the following terms with the help of examples taken from different plant tissues.

(a) Differentiation (b) De-differentiation (c) Re-differentiation

Explanation

(a) Differentiation is permanent in size, structure, composition and function of cells, tissue or organs. For example the meristematic tissues in plants gives rise to new cells which mature and get differentiated into special tissue or an organ of the plant, e.g., cells, distal to root apical meristem form root cap, cell of the periphery form epiblema, followed by cortex, endodermis, pericycle and vascular.

(b) De-differentiation is the process of despecialisation of differentiated cells so that they again become differentiated and able to divide. e.g., in dicot stem, the cortical cells get de-differentiated and become meristematic to form cambium (interfascicular cambium, and fascicular cambiums).

(c) Re-differentiation The cambium cells thus formed, again re-differentiate to form secondary cortex cells secondary xylem and phloem elements and phelloderm in case of secondary growth of woody dicot plants.