Plant Stem Cells
- In plants, stem cells are found in the root and shoot tips, in the meristem tissue
- Meristem cells are unspecialised cells that can differentiate into the cells needed by the plant in regions where growth is occurring
- For example, meristem cells in the roots can differentiate into root hair cells as well as other cells required in this part of the plant
- Plant stem cells retain the ability to differentiate into any type of plant cell throughout the life of the plant
- It is possible to use plant stem cells to clone plants with desired characteristics
- e.g. resistance to certain diseases
