13.2 Differentiation, Dedifferentiation & Redifferentiation

• The cells derived from root apical and shoot-apical meristems and cambium differentiate and mature to perform specific functions. This act leading to maturation is termed as differentiation
• To form a tracheary element, the cells would lose their protoplasm and develop a very strong, elastic, lignocellulosic secondary cell walls, to carry water to long distances even under extreme tension
• The living differentiated cells that have lost the capacity to divide can regain the capacity of division under certain conditions. This phenomenon is termed as dedifferentiation
• meristems/tissues are able to divide and produce cells that once again lose the capacity to divide but mature to perform specific functions, i.e., get redifferentiated
• Differentiation in plants is open, because cells/tissues arising out of the same meristem have different structures at maturity
• The final structure at maturity of a cell/tissue is also determined by the location of the cell within
• Cells positioned away from root apical meristems differentiate as root-cap cells, while those pushed to the periphery mature as epidermis