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. as a tree ages, it needs to keep making more xylem and phloem cells to carry water and food. which statement explains how this occurs? the existing xylem and phloem divide to make more xylem and phloem. cell division is not necessary for a plant to create new xylem and phloem cells. xylem and phloem from one part of the plant are transferred to another part. meristem cells divide and some of the new cells differentiate into xylem and phloem.

Explanation:

Meristem cells are undifferentiated plant cells that can divide and differentiate into various types of plant cells, including xylem and phloem. As a tree grows and ages, meristem cells divide and some differentiate into xylem and phloem to meet the plant's needs for transporting water, nutrients, and food.

Answer:

Meristem cells divide and some of the new cells differentiate into xylem and phloem.