Here's a breakdown:
* Undifferentiated Cells: Meristems are made up of undifferentiated cells, meaning these cells haven't specialized into a specific function yet.
* Active Cell Division: These cells are constantly undergoing mitosis, a process of cell division that produces identical daughter cells.
* Growth and Development: The new cells produced by meristems are responsible for the plant's growth in length (primary growth) and width (secondary growth).
* Location:
* Apical meristems: Found at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for primary growth, increasing the plant's length.
* Lateral meristems: Found in the cambium layer, responsible for secondary growth, increasing the plant's girth.
In essence, meristems are the growth factories of plants, continuously producing new cells that contribute to the plant's development and expansion.