In which of the following ways does a root differ from a shoot?
A) a root only has apical meristems -- a shoot could have both
B) a root lacks an epidermis- a shoot does not lack an epidermis
C) roots lengthen when cells above the apical meristem elongate- in shoots, cell elongation below the apical meristem causes the shoot to lengthen
D) in a root the apical meristem at the tip never changes its position- in shoots the apical meristem does change its position as the stem elongates
E) all of these are differences between roots and shoots

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct difference between roots and shoots is that in roots, cell elongation occurs above the apical meristem, causing the root to lengthen. In shoots, cell elongation occurs below the apical meristem, causing the shoot to lengthen. Option A is incorrect because both roots and shoots can have apical meristems. Option B is incorrect because both roots and shoots have an epidermis. Option D is incorrect because the apical meristem can change positions in both roots and shoots. Therefore, the correct option is C.

In Which of the Following Ways Does a Root Differ