Exemplar Problems

Question:

What is the role of the cambium in plant growth?

Answer:

The cambium plays a crucial role in plant growth, especially in dicots and gymnosperms, by facilitating secondary growth. The vascular cambium produces secondary xylem (wood) and phloem, contributing to an increase in the girth of the stem or root. It is a lateral meristem, meaning it adds layers of cells to the plant body’s circumference. The cambium’s activity is essential for the formation of wood and the overall structural integrity of the plant.