Answer:
Notochord
Explanation:
Meristem cells are a group of plant cells capable of division and growth that reside in zones where growth can occur. As undifferentiated cells, they are considered as stem cells in animals given that they are the origin of many of the cells that go on to rapidly differentiate/specialize and form various parts of plant. A collection of meristem cells performing a specific function is called meristem tissue.
Meristems are classified based on their location or position; apical meristem (at the tips), intercalary (in the middle) and lateral (at the sides). Apical meristem is further divided into:
- Protoderm (which differentiates into epidermis)
- Ground meristem ( differentiation gives rise to parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma)
- Procambium ( differentiation results in the production of vascular tissues of the plant; xylem and phloem)
Notochord is a cartilaginous skeletal rod supporting the body in all embryonic and some chordate animals. Notochords are only found in the phylum Chordata, a group of animals including humans. Hence, notochords is not a structural characteristics of plants and cannot be produced by the meristem cells in plants.
