Meristematic tissues divide repeatedly. What property of their cells allows them to do this?
Explanation
Option (iii) is correct because meristematic cells possess thin cell walls, dense cytoplasm, and a large, prominent nucleus. These specific characteristics allow them to divide continuously and rapidly. Option (i) is incorrect as their cell walls are thin, not thick. Option (ii) is incorrect because vacuoles are generally absent in these cells. Option (iv) is incorrect because functionally differentiated cells have lost the ability to divide and become permanent tissues.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the key characteristics of meristematic tissues from the text: they have thin cell walls, a large and prominent nucleus, and dense cytoplasm, while vacuoles are generally absent.
Step 2: Match these characteristics with the given options. Option (iii) correctly lists thin walls, dense cytoplasm, and a large prominent nucleus.
Step 3: Eliminate the other options based on the text: they do not have thick walls (i), they lack large vacuoles (ii), and they are not differentiated (iv) since differentiation leads to permanent tissue which loses the ability to divide.