Anatomy of the stem
Ground meristem- the greater
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
-passing downward from the
very tip of the stem, 3 regions may be
recognized:
1. Region of meristematic activity
- This region identifies a part of the
stem which is the bud.
- Their cells form a dome shaped mass
of tissue known as the apical
meristem.
Bud- consists of small, thin-walled,
constantly dividing undifferentiated
cells.
® The youngest part of the apical
meristem cells brings about an
increase in length of the stem.
a. Tunica- an outer enveloping
layer of cells which divides at
right angles to the surface.
b. Corpus- a central cone
composed of cells which divides
parallel to the surface.
The apical meristem tissue which
builds up the fundamental or primary
tissues of the plant body is the
primary meristem.
Three primary tissues:
a. Protoderm- outermost layer
which give rise to the epidermis
b. Procambium- strands of tissues
which gives rise to the primary
phloem, primary xylem and
cambium.
c.
part of the tissue within the
protoderm which form the
cortex, pericycle, pith and
pithrays.
2. Region of elongation
- This extends from the base of the
bud downward through several nodes
and internodes. Elongation of the
cell in this portion is primarily attained
through the enlargement of the
vacuoles as a result of H2O
absorption.
3. Region of maturation
- This is where the permanent
tissues are differentiated and
become mature.
CROSS SECTION OF A YOUNG
MATURE STEM
Three regions of Primary Tissues
1. Epidermis- a single layer of cells
for protection.
2. Cortex- the region next to the
epidermis made up of:
a. Colenchyma- consisting of
the first mechanical or
strengthening tissue of
the developing stem.
b. Parenchyma- located
beneath the collenchymas
and making up the bulk of
the cortex.
3. Stele- the largest of the region
in the stem composed of the
following:
PERICYCLE
 • Parenchyma c. Parenchyma- for storage of
water and food may also
• Schelrenchyma conduct water for short distance

VASCULAR BUNDLE d. Fibers- for strengthening

purposes.
• Phloem
e. Pith- located in the center of the
▪ Sieve tube stem composed of thin walled
▪ Companion cells parenchyma cells. The function
of which is for storage of food.
▪ Fibers
f. Pith rays- bands of parenchyma
▪ Parenchyma which extend radially from the
pith toward the pericycle, for
• Cambium- located between storage and conduction.
the phloem and xylem,
consisting of single circular
row of meristematic cells
which from secondary
vascular tissue as the stem
grows older thereby
resulting in the growth of
stem’s diameter.

• Xylem- located inside the

cambium for conduction of
H2O

It is made up of the following:

a. Vessels- long vertical tubes of

elongated cylindrical cell
arranged end to end from which
the end walls have been
digested

b. Trachids- elongated tapering

cells, the protoplasm of which
dies shortly after the cells are
formed. Their walls are often
thickened by spirals or ring of
lignocelluloses. Like the muscle,
they are for conduction of H2O
and minerals.