Vascular cambium

Definition

The vascular cambium is a layer of meristematic tissue found in the stems and roots of dicots and gymnosperms, responsible for secondary growth by producing new layers of xylem and phloem. This tissue plays a crucial role in increasing the diameter of the plant as it grows, contributing to the formation of woody structures and facilitating the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The vascular cambium produces new xylem cells towards the inside and new phloem cells towards the outside, allowing for secondary growth.
2. In woody plants, the vascular cambium is responsible for forming annual growth rings, which can be observed in cross-sections of tree trunks.
3. The activity of the vascular cambium is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and moisture, which can affect growth rates.
4. In addition to xylem and phloem, the vascular cambium also produces cambial cells that contribute to the formation of wood fibers and other supportive tissues.
5. The vascular cambium plays a vital role in overall plant health by enabling greater transport capacity as plants grow larger and develop more complex structures.

Review Questions

• How does the vascular cambium contribute to secondary growth in plants, and what implications does this have for plant structure?
  • The vascular cambium contributes to secondary growth by producing new layers of xylem and phloem, increasing the overall girth of stems and roots. This allows plants to develop stronger structures capable of supporting larger leaves and reproductive organs. The secondary growth also enables enhanced transport capabilities for water, nutrients, and sugars, essential for sustaining larger plant bodies.
• Discuss the relationship between vascular cambium activity and environmental factors such as temperature and moisture levels.
  • Vascular cambium activity is highly responsive to environmental factors like temperature and moisture. For instance, warmer temperatures can stimulate more rapid cell division and growth, while adequate moisture levels are essential for maintaining turgor pressure in cells. In periods of drought or extreme cold, cambial activity may slow down or halt altogether, affecting secondary growth rates and impacting overall plant health.
• Evaluate the importance of vascular cambium in understanding plant physiology and its applications in forestry and agriculture.
  • The study of vascular cambium is crucial for understanding plant physiology as it reveals how plants grow and adapt over time. Knowledge about cambial activity informs forestry practices by helping foresters manage tree health and optimize timber production based on growth patterns. In agriculture, understanding how vascular cambium functions can lead to better crop management strategies that enhance plant growth and productivity through selective breeding or environmental manipulation.

Related terms

xylem: Xylem is the vascular tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.

phloem: Phloem is the vascular tissue that transports sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

meristematic tissue: Meristematic tissue is a type of plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells capable of cell division, contributing to growth in length and girth.