Question

read the passage to answer the question.

have you had the chance to watch a tree grow over a span of several years? did you notice that the tree grew thicker and taller? deep in the roots of the tree and high in the growing shoots are meristem cells. each year, the meristem cells help the tree continue to grow.

when the seed of a tree first starts to grow, what would happen if the cells did not differentiate?

• the seed could form roots, but not leaves.
• all of the cells would be identical.
• the dna would make new cells.
• other cells would differentiate.

Explanation:

Cell differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized in structure and function. If cells do not differentiate, they will not develop into different types with specific roles (like root cells, leaf cells, etc.). So all cells would remain identical as they don't undergo the process to become specialized. The first option is incorrect because without differentiation, it's not that only roots or only leaves form, but no specialization at all. The third option is about DNA making new cells, which is cell division, not related to differentiation. The fourth option is illogical as the question is about no differentiation, so other cells can't differentiate if the process isn't happening.

Answer:

B. All of the cells would be identical.