The increase in thickness of stems and roots due to activity of lateral meristems is called:

Explanation

The increase in thickness of stems and roots due to activity of lateral meristems is called secondary growth secondary growth is one of the two main types of growth that occurs in plants, with the other being primary growth. Secondary growth is responsible for the increase in the width or girth of plant stems and roots. It occurs in certain plants, primarily woody plants, and is facilitated by the activities of lateral meristems. Secondary growth is driven by the activity of lateral meristems, which are regions of undifferentiated cells located in the cambium and cork cambium. These meristems produce new cells in a horizontal direction, allowing the plant to grow wider or thicker.The vascular cambium is the primary lateral meristem responsible for secondary growth in plants. It is a layer of actively dividing cells located between the xylem and phloem tissues in the stem. The cork cambium is responsible for the production of the outermost protective layer of the stem or root, called cork.In plants with secondary growth, the vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) are arranged in a circular pattern. This differs from herbaceous plants with primary growth, where the vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem.Understanding secondary growth is essential for the study of woody plants and is of practical importance in forestry, agriculture, and horticulture. It is also responsible for the production of wood, which is a valuable resource for construction and various industrial applications.