What type of cells are meristems composed of?

Meristems are composed of self-renewing cells, which are referred to as meristematic cells. These cells are undifferentiated, meaning they have the potential to develop into various types of specialized cells as the plant grows. Their unique ability to divide indefinitely allows meristems to contribute to the growth of new tissues, including leaves, stems, and roots.

In contrast, specialized cells have specific functions and structures tailored for particular roles within the plant, such as conducting water or photosynthesis, and do not retain the capability to differentiate into other cell types. Parenchyma cells, while they can be derived from meristematic cells and serve various roles in storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair, are specialized and thus not a defining characteristic of meristems. Vascular cells, like xylem and phloem, play critical roles in transportation within plants, but they arise from differentiation of meristematic cells and are not part of the meristem itself.

The self-renewing nature of meristematic cells is crucial for the plant's growth and development, allowing it to continuously produce new organs throughout its life cycle.