The meristem which does not participate in the formation of secondary tissues is:

Options

A. Intercalary meristem
B. Vascular cambium
C. Interfascicular cambium
D. Cork cambium

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Meristems**: Meristems are regions in plants where cells are actively dividing, leading to growth. They are categorized into primary and secondary meristems.

2. **Types of Meristems**:
- **Intercalary Meristem**: Found at the base of internodes and leaf blades; responsible for the elongation of stems and leaves. It contributes to primary growth, which is the increase in length.
- **Vascular Cambium**: A type of lateral meristem that contributes to secondary growth by producing secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem (bark).
- **Interfascicular Cambium**: Also contributes to secondary growth by connecting vascular bundles and forming part of the vascular cambium.
- **Cork Cambium**: Produces cork cells, which replace the epidermis in older stems and roots, contributing to secondary growth.

3. **Identifying the Correct Answer**: The question asks for the meristem that does not participate in the formation of secondary tissues.
- Intercalary meristem is involved in primary growth and does not contribute to secondary growth.
- The other three options (vascular cambium, interfascicular cambium, and cork cambium) all participate in secondary growth.

4. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer is **intercalary meristem**.

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