Meristematic cells have

Options

A. (a) Thin cell walls and large intercellular spaces
B. (b) Thin cell walls and no intercellular spaces
C. (c) Thick cell walls and large intercellular spaces
D. (d) Thick cell walls and small intercellular spaces

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Meristematic Cells**: Meristematic cells are specialized plant cells that are responsible for growth. They are found in regions of the plant that are actively growing, such as the tips of roots and shoots.

2. **Characteristics of Meristematic Cells**:
- **Shape**: Meristematic cells are isodimetric, meaning they are roughly spherical or polyhedral in shape.
- **Arrangement**: These cells have a highly compact arrangement with no intercellular spaces.
- **Cell Walls**: They possess thin cell walls that are primarily made of cellulose.
- **Nucleus and Cytoplasm**: Meristematic cells have large nuclei and dense cytoplasm, indicating a high level of metabolic activity.

3. **Metabolic Activity**: Meristematic cells are always in an active state of metabolism, which allows them to divide rapidly. This characteristic is crucial for growth and development in plants.

4. **Totipotency**: A unique feature of meristematic cells is their totipotency, which means they have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell and can form a whole new organism. This is a key aspect of plant development.

5. **Evaluating Options**:
- **Option A**: Thin walls and large intercellular spaces - This is incorrect because meristematic cells have thin walls but no intercellular spaces.
- **Option B**: Thin cell walls and no intercellular spaces - This is correct as it aligns with the characteristics of meristematic cells.
- **Option C**: Thick cell walls and large intercellular spaces - This is incorrect as meristematic cells do not have thick walls or large intercellular spaces.
- **Option D**: Thick cell walls and small intercellular spaces - This is also incorrect.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is Option B: thin cell walls and no intercellular spaces.