Certified Arborist Practice Exam

Where are apical meristems located?

1. Within the tree trunk

2. At the base of the trunk

3. Along the branches

4. At the end of shoots and roots

The correct answer is: At the end of shoots and roots

Apical meristems are found at the tips of shoots and roots. These regions of undifferentiated cells are crucial for primary growth, allowing the plant to lengthen and expand. In the case of shoots, the apical meristem contributes to the extension of stems and the development of leaves. Similarly, in roots, it enables the plant to grow deeper into the soil, facilitating access to water and nutrients. The other locations mentioned, such as within the tree trunk or at the base of the trunk, do not contain apical meristems; rather, they are more involved in secondary growth activities. Along branches can contain growth but are not specifically where new growth originates as apical meristems do; they are typically comprised of differentiated tissues. Hence, the correct understanding points to the significance of apical meristems being specifically at the ends of shoots and roots.