What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Growth?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between primary and secondary growth in plants lies in the location and purpose of the growth.
Primary Growth:
- Occurs at the apical meristem, which is found at the terminals of the shoots and roots.
- Causes the plant's stem and root to grow in height.
- Happens at the start of the plant's life cycle.
- Occurs in all plants.
- Results in the formation of the primary xylem and the development of the fundamental vascular tissues, epidermis, and cortex.
Secondary Growth:
- Occurs in the lateral meristem.
- Causes the plant's stem and root to increase in thickness or girth.
- Happens after primary growth.
- Occurs in angiosperms and gymnosperms, and is noticeable in woody plants, such as trees.
- Results in the formation of secondary xylem and the development of the bark, periderm, lenticels, secondary phloem, and xylem.
In summary, primary growth refers to a plant's lengthening, mostly in the root and shoot systems, and is driven by cell division in the shoot apical meristem. On the other hand, secondary growth is characterized by an increase in thickness or girth of the plant and occurs in woody plants, such as trees, as a result of cell division in the lateral meristem.
Comparative Table: Primary vs Secondary Growth
The difference between primary and secondary growth in plants can be summarized in the following table:
| Primary Growth | Secondary Growth |
|---|---|
| Cell division occurs at the apical meristem. | Cell division takes place in the lateral meristem. |
| Growth causes the plant's stem and root to grow in height. | Radial growth of the stem and root is the result of secondary growth. |
| Primary growth happens at the start of the plant's life cycle. | Secondary growth happens following primary growth. |
| Occurs in all plants. | Occurs in angiosperms and gymnosperms. |
| The main growth of the procambium results in the formation of the primary xylem. | The secondary growth of the vascular cambium produces secondary xylem. |
| The fundamental vascular tissues, epidermis, and cortex are formed during initial growth. | The bark, periderm, lenticels, secondary phloem, and xylem develop during secondary growth. |
Primary growth is the process that increases the length of the plant, while secondary growth is the process that increases the girth of the plant. Primary growth occurs at the apical meristem, and secondary growth occurs at the lateral meristem.
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