The primary plant body with its three tissue systems is produced by primary growth. The youngest portions of woody plants and herbaceous plants are examples of primary plant bodies.
Apical meristems are responsible for the primary growth of roots and shoots.
Primary Growth of Roots Root growth is concentrated near its tip and results in roots extending through the soil. The root tip is covered by a root cap , which protects the meristem and secretes a polysaccharide coating that lubricates the soil ahead of the growing root. The root tip contains 3 zones of cells in successive stages of primary growth. Although described separately, these zones blend into a continuum. A quiescent center is located near the center of the apical meristem.