Scientists discover oldest known population of plant root stem cells

Q.  Scientists discover oldest known population of plant root stem cells in a fossil which is how old?
- Published on 06 Jun 16

a. 310 million years
b. 320 million years
c. 330 million years
d. 340 million years

ANSWER: 320 million years
 
Scientists have found the oldest known population of plant root stem cells in a 320 million year old fossil, providing a clue on how ancient roots have developed
  • Research marks the first time an actively growing fossilised root has been discovered- an ancient plant frozen in time
  • Cells which give rise to the roots of the ancient plant were found in fossilised root tip at UK’s Oxford University
  • Stem cells are self renewing cells responsible for the formation of multicellular organisms
  • These are located in plants at the tips of roots and shoots in groups called meristems
  • 320 million year old stem cells are different to those living today with a unique pattern of cell division unknown until now

Related Content

➨ Post your comment / Share knowledge


Enter the code shown above:

(Note: If you cannot read the numbers in the above image, reload the page to generate a new one.)
▲