The development and dynamics of the root apical meristem.

During the past ten years our concepts of the root apex and how it functions have expanded considerably. Through the use of several unique root tissue systems investigators have characterized the populations of cells which comprise the apex and have refined our views of the ways in which these populations interact to regulate aspects of root development. The aim of this paper is to present a summary of current thoughts on root development with emphasis on the activities of the cells comprising the root apex.