Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species
Published on: March 29, 2019
Apical meristems: the plant's fountain of youth
1Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
During postembryonic development, all organs of a plant are ultimately derived from a few pluripotent stem cells found in specialized structures called apical meristems. Here we discuss our current knowledge about the regulation of plant stem cells and their environments with main emphasis on the shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana. Recent studies suggest that stem cells are localized in specialized niches where signals from surrounding cells maintain their undifferentiated state. In the shoot meristem, initiation of stem cells during embryogenesis, regulation of stem-cell homeostasis and termination of stem-cell maintenance during flower development appear to primarily involve regulation of the stem-cell niche.
Related Concept Videos
Meristems and Plant Growth
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Plant Cells and Tissues
Water and Mineral Acquisition
Morphogenesis
Plant Tissues

