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apical

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Apical means "at the tip" or "at the top." It is used to describe the part of a plant or an animal that is furthest from the ground or the base.

In plants, the apical meristem is the part of the plant that is responsible for growth. It is located at the tip of the stem and the root. The apical meristem is made up of cells that are constantly dividing, which allows the plant to grow taller and longer.

The apical meristem is also responsible for the development of new leaves and flowers.

In animals, the apical part of the body is the head. The head contains the brain, the eyes, the ears, and the mouth. The head is important for sensing the environment and for eating.

How can the word be used?

The apical cells are the cells that are located at the tip of the root.

apical

Different forms of the word

Adjective: apical.

Adverb: apically.

Noun: apex.

Synonyms: highest, topmost, crowning, terminal, culminant.

Antonyms: basal, lowest, bottommost, initial, incipient.

Etymology

The word "apical" comes from the Latin word apex, which means "tip" or "peak". The Latin word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root ap, which means "to point".

Question

Demonstrate how you would use the word apical in a sentence.

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

What is apical dominance?

Answer:

  • Apical dominance is a phenomenon in plants where the apical bud inhibits the growth of lateral buds. The apical bud is the terminal bud at the tip of a stem, and it is the dominant bud. The lateral buds are the buds that are located along the stem, and they are the subordinate buds.
  • Apical dominance is caused by a hormone called auxin. Auxin is produced by the apical bud, and it inhibits the growth of lateral buds. This is why the apical bud is usually the tallest bud on a plant, and why the lateral buds are usually shorter.
  • Apical dominance is important for plant growth. It helps to ensure that the plant grows straight up, and it also helps to prevent the plant from becoming too bushy.
  • There are a few ways to overcome apical dominance. One way is to remove the apical bud. This will allow the lateral buds to grow, and the plant will become bushier. Another way to overcome apical dominance is to apply a chemical that blocks the production of auxin. This will also allow the lateral buds to grow.