[Campbell Biology P.818] Which of the following statements about primary growth of shoots, a... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements about primary growth of shoots, as depicted in Figure 35.16, is correct?
A: Leaf primordia develop from the shoot apical meristem and are protected by axillary bud meristems.
B: The entire biomass of a primary shoot, including leaves and stems, derives from the dividing cells of the shoot apical meristem.
C: The procambium is responsible for forming the dermal tissue system, while the protoderm forms the vascular tissues.
D: Axillary bud meristems are responsible for the elongation of the main stem, not for branch formation.
Explanation
The text states: 'The entire biomass of a primary shoot—all its leaves and stems—derives from its shoot apical meristem, a dome-shaped mass of dividing cells at the shoot tip'. Figure 35.16 illustrates the shoot tip with various meristematic regions contributing to primary growth.