What are meristems in plants?

Meristems are regions in plants that are composed of unspecialized cells capable of continual division and growth. These areas are crucial for the development and elongation of various plant tissues and structures. Meristems enable the plant to increase in size, produce new leaves, stems, and roots, and adapt to environmental conditions.

The presence of unspecialized cells within meristems allows for the unique ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types as the plant matures. This is essential for various growth processes, including primary growth, which extends the length of roots and shoots, and secondary growth, which increases the thickness of stems and roots.

In contrast, the other options refer to different plant functions. Areas of nutrient storage involve specialized cells that hold nutrients, while regions for photosynthesis are typically found in mature leaves where chloroplasts are present, and structures for seed production are usually associated with reproductive organs such as flowers and fruits. Each of these functions supports the plant's life processes but does not relate to the growth capability inherent in meristematic tissue.