Meristematic cells lack vacuoles. What is the most likely reason for this absence?

To allow continuous and rapid cell division

To store more food for the plant

To allow continuous and rapid cell division

To provide rigidity to the plant body

To prevent water from entering the cells

Which of the following correctly describes the process of differentiation in plants?

Process where cells become specialized in structure and function

Increase in cell size due to water absorption

Division of cells to increase their number

Process where cells become specialized in structure and function

Formation of new meristematic regions from old permanent tissue

Which of the following best describes a tissue?

A group of cells similar in structure and performing a specific function

A group of organs that work together

A group of cells similar in structure and performing a specific function

A single cell that can perform all life functions

A collection of different cell types without a common function

After regularly trimming a hedge in a garden, it becomes denser and bushier. Which meristem is primarily responsible for this regrowth?

Intercalary meristem at the nodes

Apical meristem at the cut tips

Intercalary meristem at the nodes

Assertion (A): Lateral meristem is responsible for the increase in the thickness of stems. Reason (R): It is located at the tips of the roots and shoots.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Differentiate between apical meristem and lateral meristem based on their location and the type of growth they promote.

Apical meristem is present at the tips of roots and shoots; it promotes elongation (primary growth). Lateral meristem is found along the sides of stems in a ring; it increases girth (secondary growth).

Meristematic cells are characterised by the absence of vacuoles. Explain why this feature is essential for their function.

Vacuoles are fluid-filled sacs that take up space and require energy for maintenance. Their absence in meristematic cells allows dense cytoplasm packed with organelles, facilitating rapid and continuous cell division.

What are meristematic tissues? List any two types of meristematic tissues found in plants.

Meristematic tissues are groups of actively dividing cells responsible for growth in plants. Two types: apical meristem (found at root and shoot tips) and lateral meristem (found along the circumference of stems).

Explain how intercalary meristem allows grasses to regrow after being grazed by animals.

Intercalary meristem is located at the base of internodes or just above the nodes. When grass is grazed, the upper part is removed but the meristem remains intact, allowing continuous cell division and regrowth of new leaves and stems.

Compare and contrast the three types of meristematic tissues — apical, lateral, and intercalary — in terms of their location, function, and the type of growth they bring about in plants.

Apical meristem: Located at root and shoot tips; responsible for primary growth (increase in length); cells divide vertically, adding cells to the plant body. Lateral meristem: Found along the circumference of stems and roots in dicots; causes secondary growth (increase in girth); produces secondary xylem and phloem, forming annual rings. Intercalary meristem: Present at nodes or base of internodes in grasses and some plants; helps in regrowth after cutting or grazing and in branching; it increases the length of internodes. All three consist of actively dividing cells with dense cytoplasm and no vacuoles, but their positions and growth effects differ.

The trunk of a tree displays annual rings that can be used to estimate its age and infer past climatic conditions. Explain how these rings are formed and what they indicate about the tree's growth. Relate your explanation to the activity of lateral meristem.

Annual rings are formed by the seasonal activity of the lateral meristem, specifically the vascular cambium. In spring, when water is abundant and growth conditions are favorable, the cambium produces large, thin-walled xylem cells, forming a wide, light-colored ring (earlywood). In autumn, when growth slows, it produces smaller, thick-walled cells, forming a narrow, darker ring (latewood). This cycle of alternating light and dark bands makes one annual ring. By counting these rings, we can estimate the tree's age. The width of rings indicates climatic conditions: wide rings suggest favorable growth conditions (warm, wet), while narrow rings indicate stress (drought, cold). Thus, lateral meristem activity not only increases girth but also records environmental history.

A gardener trims the hedge of a shrub regularly. He notices that after trimming, the plant produces new branches from the nodes and becomes bushier. He wonders which tissue is responsible for this regrowth. (1) Identify the type of meristematic tissue responsible for this regrowth and state its location in the plant. (2) Explain how the activity of this tissue results in a bushier appearance after trimming.

The tissue is intercalary meristem, located at nodes/internodes. After tip removal, it produces multiple new branches from the nodes, leading to a bushier shape.

Class 9 Science Chapter 3: Tissues in Action — Important Questions & Sample Paper

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Yes — this page has 44+ original Class 9 Science Chapter 3 (“Tissues in Action”) important questions with answers (Multiple Choice (MCQ), Assertion–Reason, Short Answer, Short Answer, Long Answer, Case Study). Practise them free, or generate a full CBSE board-pattern sample paper (80 marks) and export it to PDF or Word — in English & Hindi, for 2026-27.

Chapter 3 'Tissues in Action' from Class 9 Science explores how cells organise into tissues to perform specific functions, laying the foundation for understanding plant and animal biology. This chapter focuses primarily on plant tissues, detailing meristematic tissues (apical, lateral, intercalary) responsible for growth and their locations, along with permanent tissues like epidermis and its protective waxy cuticle. Key concepts include the differences in cell division capabilities, the role of lateral meristem in secondary growth and annual ring formation, and how environmental factors influence tissue activity. Students learn to compare tissue types, link structure to function, and apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios such as developing drought-resistant crops or interpreting tree rings. Exam questions often require detailed comparisons, diagram-based explanations, and critical thinking about tissue adaptations. Mastering these concepts is essential for scoring well in CBSE exams, as questions frequently blend theory with practical applications, making this chapter both challenging and rewarding.

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Science — Tissues in Action

Class 9Time: 3 hrsMax Marks: 80

SECTION A

1.
Meristematic cells lack vacuoles. What is the most likely reason for this absence?
(a) To store more food for the plant(b) To allow continuous and rapid cell division(c) To provide rigidity to the plant body(d) To prevent water from entering the cells
1
2.
Which of the following correctly describes the process of differentiation in plants?
(a) Increase in cell size due to water absorption(b) Division of cells to increase their number(c) Process where cells become specialized in structure and function(d) Formation of new meristematic regions from old permanent tissue
1
3.
Which of the following best describes a tissue?
(a) A group of organs that work together(b) A group of cells similar in structure and performing a specific function(c) A single cell that can perform all life functions(d) A collection of different cell types without a common function
1

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In a CBSE exam, this chapter typically contributes questions across the following types. The last column shows how many original questions of each type we have ready in our bank for this chapter:

Question type	Marks each	In our bank
Multiple Choice (MCQ)	1 mark	13
Assertion–Reason	1 mark	6
Short Answer	2 marks	8
Short Answer	3 marks	6
Long Answer	5 marks	5
Case Study	4 marks	6

44 original, exam-style questions in our bank for this chapter — with answers.

Important & sample questions (with answers)

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Q1. Meristematic cells lack vacuoles. What is the most likely reason for this absence?
1 mark
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
(A) To store more food for the plant(B) To allow continuous and rapid cell division(C) To provide rigidity to the plant body(D) To prevent water from entering the cells
▸ Answer▾ Answer
To allow continuous and rapid cell division
Q2. Which of the following correctly describes the process of differentiation in plants?
1 mark
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
(A) Increase in cell size due to water absorption(B) Division of cells to increase their number(C) Process where cells become specialized in structure and function(D) Formation of new meristematic regions from old permanent tissue
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Process where cells become specialized in structure and function
Q3. Which of the following best describes a tissue?
1 mark
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
(A) A group of organs that work together(B) A group of cells similar in structure and performing a specific function(C) A single cell that can perform all life functions(D) A collection of different cell types without a common function
▸ Answer▾ Answer
A group of cells similar in structure and performing a specific function
Q4. After regularly trimming a hedge in a garden, it becomes denser and bushier. Which meristem is primarily responsible for this regrowth?
1 mark
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
(A) Apical meristem at the cut tips(B) Lateral meristem in the stem(C) Intercalary meristem at the nodes(D) Vascular cambium in the roots
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Intercalary meristem at the nodes
Q5. Assertion (A): Lateral meristem is responsible for the increase in the thickness of stems. Reason (R): It is located at the tips of the roots and shoots.
1 mark
Assertion–Reason
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.(C) A is true but R is false.(D) A is false but R is true.
▸ Answer▾ Answer
A is true but R is false.
Q6. Differentiate between apical meristem and lateral meristem based on their location and the type of growth they promote.
2 marks
Short Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Apical meristem is present at the tips of roots and shoots; it promotes elongation (primary growth). Lateral meristem is found along the sides of stems in a ring; it increases girth (secondary growth).
Q7. Meristematic cells are characterised by the absence of vacuoles. Explain why this feature is essential for their function.
2 marks
Short Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Vacuoles are fluid-filled sacs that take up space and require energy for maintenance. Their absence in meristematic cells allows dense cytoplasm packed with organelles, facilitating rapid and continuous cell division.
Q8. What are meristematic tissues? List any two types of meristematic tissues found in plants.
3 marks
Short Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Meristematic tissues are groups of actively dividing cells responsible for growth in plants. Two types: apical meristem (found at root and shoot tips) and lateral meristem (found along the circumference of stems).
Q9. Explain how intercalary meristem allows grasses to regrow after being grazed by animals.
3 marks
Short Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Intercalary meristem is located at the base of internodes or just above the nodes. When grass is grazed, the upper part is removed but the meristem remains intact, allowing continuous cell division and regrowth of new leaves and stems.
Q10. Compare and contrast the three types of meristematic tissues — apical, lateral, and intercalary — in terms of their location, function, and the type of growth they bring about in plants.
5 marks
Long Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Apical meristem: Located at root and shoot tips; responsible for primary growth (increase in length); cells divide vertically, adding cells to the plant body. Lateral meristem: Found along the circumference of stems and roots in dicots; causes secondary growth (increase in girth); produces secondary xylem and phloem, forming annual rings. Intercalary meristem: Present at nodes or base of internodes in grasses and some plants; helps in regrowth after cutting or grazing and in branching; it increases the length of internodes. All three consist of actively dividing cells with dense cytoplasm and no vacuoles, but their positions and growth effects differ.
Q11. The trunk of a tree displays annual rings that can be used to estimate its age and infer past climatic conditions. Explain how these rings are formed and what they indicate about the tree's growth. Relate your explanation to the activity of lateral meristem.
5 marks
Long Answer
▸ Answer▾ Answer
Annual rings are formed by the seasonal activity of the lateral meristem, specifically the vascular cambium. In spring, when water is abundant and growth conditions are favorable, the cambium produces large, thin-walled xylem cells, forming a wide, light-colored ring (earlywood). In autumn, when growth slows, it produces smaller, thick-walled cells, forming a narrow, darker ring (latewood). This cycle of alternating light and dark bands makes one annual ring. By counting these rings, we can estimate the tree's age. The width of rings indicates climatic conditions: wide rings suggest favorable growth conditions (warm, wet), while narrow rings indicate stress (drought, cold). Thus, lateral meristem activity not only increases girth but also records environmental history.
Q12. A gardener trims the hedge of a shrub regularly. He notices that after trimming, the plant produces new branches from the nodes and becomes bushier. He wonders which tissue is responsible for this regrowth.
4 marks
Case Study
1. (i) Identify the type of meristematic tissue responsible for this regrowth and state its location in the plant.2 marks
2. (ii) Explain how the activity of this tissue results in a bushier appearance after trimming.2 marks
▸ Answer▾ Answer
The tissue is intercalary meristem, located at nodes/internodes. After tip removal, it produces multiple new branches from the nodes, leading to a bushier shape.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between apical and lateral meristem in plants?

Apical meristem is located at root and shoot tips and causes primary growth (increase in length), while lateral meristem is found along the sides of stems and roots and causes secondary growth (increase in girth or thickness).

How do environmental conditions affect annual ring formation?

Favourable conditions like ample water and warmth boost lateral meristem (cambium) activity, producing wide rings. Unfavourable conditions slow growth, leading to narrow rings. This pattern helps scientists study past climates and growth history.

Why is the epidermis of leaves covered with a waxy cuticle?

The waxy cuticle, primarily made of cutin, acts as a waterproof barrier. It reduces water loss through transpiration and protects against pathogens and mechanical damage, essential in terrestrial plants.

Can you explain the role of intercalary meristem in plants?

Intercalary meristem is located at the base of leaves or internodes, especially in grasses. It allows regrowth after cutting or grazing by facilitating rapid cell division, aiding in quick recovery and elongation.

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