Apical meristems of dicots are at the tips of stems and the leaves have determinate growth. Apical meristems of grasses are at ground level, or slightly below, and the leaves have indeterminate growth from meristems at the base of each leaf. What does this mean when considering care of a lawn or soccer field?
A) If you mow one inch above ground level, most apical meristems are removed and cut leaves will stop growing.
B) If you mow one inch above ground level, most apical meristems are removed but cut leaves can keep growing.
C) If you mow one inch above ground level, apical meristems can continue to produce new leaves and cut leaves can continue growing.
D) Grass mowed two inches above ground level stops cut leaves from growing but new leaves are produced at a faster rate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the apical meristems of grasses are at or slightly below ground level, mowing one inch above ground level allows these meristems to continue producing new leaves, and because the meristems at the base of each leaf enable indeterminate growth, cut leaves can keep growing.

Apical Meristems of Dicots Are at the Tips of Stems