Define meristematic tissue? Write down characteristics of meristematic cells.

Meristematic tissue: It is a group of cells which constantly divide and produce cells indefinitely throughout the life of a plant. Meristematic tissue is found in all the growing parts of a plant such as root tip, shoot tip, etc.

Characteristics of meristematic cells:

(i) The cells of this tissue are very active. They have dense cytoplasm.

(ii) The cell wall is thin and made up of cellulose.

(iii) They lack vacuoles.

(iv) They have big nucleus.