Which of the following statement is incorrect for secondary meristems?

Options

A. They regenerate the parts of grasses damaged by grazers
B. They are the cylindrical meristems
C. They occur in the mature regions of roots and shoots
D. They appear later than primary meristems in the life of plant.

Answer

To determine which statement is incorrect regarding secondary meristems, we need to analyze the characteristics and functions of secondary meristems. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

### Step 1: Understand the Definition of Meristems
Meristems are regions in plants where active cell division occurs, leading to growth. They are classified into three main types:
- **Apical Meristem**: Located at the tips of roots and shoots.
- **Intercalary Meristem**: Found between mature tissues, typically in grasses.
- **Lateral (Secondary) Meristem**: Responsible for secondary growth, increasing the girth of the plant.

### Step 2: Identify the Characteristics of Secondary Meristems
Secondary meristems, also known as lateral meristems, have the following characteristics:
- They are located in the mature regions of roots and shoots.
- They are cylindrical in shape.
- They appear later in the plant's life cycle compared to primary meristems.
- They contribute to the thickening of stems and roots, not to the regeneration of parts.

### Step 3: Analyze the Statements
Now, we will evaluate the provided statements regarding secondary meristems:
1. They regenerate the parts of grasses damaged by grazers.
2. They occur in grasses.
3. They are cylindrical meristem.
4. They appear later than primary meristem in the life of the plant.

### Step 4: Identify the Incorrect Statement
- **Statement 1** is incorrect because the regeneration of parts damaged by grazers is primarily the function of primary meristems, not secondary meristems. Secondary meristems do not regenerate parts; they are involved in thickening the plant structure.
- **Statement 2** is correct as secondary meristems can occur in grasses.
- **Statement 3** is correct as they are indeed cylindrical.
- **Statement 4** is correct since they do appear later than primary meristems.

### Conclusion
The incorrect statement regarding secondary meristems is **Statement 1**: "They regenerate the parts of grasses damaged by grazers."

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