kerato- or kerat- also cerato- or cerat- pref. 1. Horn; horny: keratosis. 2. Cornea: keratectomy. [Greek kerÄto-, horn, from keras, kerÄt-; see ker- in Indo-European roots.] kerato- or before a vowel kerat- combining form 1. indicating horn or a horny substance: keratin; keratogenous. 2. (Medicine) indicating the cornea: keratoplasty. [from Greek kerat-, keras horn] kerato- a combining form meaning âcorneaâ: keratoplasty.
Early root growth is one of the functions of the apical meristem located near the tip of the root. The meristem cells more or less continuously divide, producing more meristem, root cap cells (these are sacrificed to protect the meristem), and undifferentiated root cells.
The secret to these abilities lies within a tissue type called meristem. Meristematic cells are fully developed and functional at maturity, but unlike other cells in the plant, they remain totipotent. This means that when induced, they can develop into any specific plant tissue at any point during the life of the plant.ell division and cell elongation in the apical meristem is called primary growth and results in an increase in plant height and root length. Increasing root length enables the plant to tap into the water and mineral resources of a new region or layer of soil.