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Ch. 35 - Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development
Chapter 35, Problem 1

Most of the growth of a plant body is the result of a. cell differentiation. b. morphogenesis. c. cell division. d.cell elongation.

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1
Step 1: Understand the question. The question is asking about the primary cause of growth in a plant body.
Step 2: Review the options. Each option represents a different biological process.
Step 3: Evaluate each option. Cell differentiation is the process by which a cell changes from one cell type to another, usually more specialized type. Morphogenesis is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape. Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. Cell elongation is the lengthening of a cell during the growth cycle.
Step 4: Choose the correct option. Most of the growth of a plant body is due to cell division and cell elongation. However, between these two, cell division is the primary cause of growth as it increases the number of cells in the plant body.
Step 5: Answer the question. The correct answer is c. cell division.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cell Division

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. In plants, this primarily occurs through mitosis, leading to an increase in cell number, which is crucial for growth. It lays the foundation for all other growth processes, as more cells provide the material needed for the plant to expand and develop.
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Cell Elongation

Cell elongation refers to the process where plant cells increase in size, contributing significantly to the overall growth of the plant. This process is influenced by factors such as water uptake and hormonal signals, particularly auxins. Elongation allows plants to reach for sunlight and space, which is essential for their survival and development.
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1) Elongation of Transcription

Morphogenesis

Morphogenesis is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape and structure. In plants, it involves the organization of cells into tissues and organs, determining the overall form of the plant. This process is crucial for establishing the architecture of the plant body, including leaves, stems, and roots, and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
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