The main region of growth for a blade of grass is the

• A. Lateral Bud
• B. Node
• C. Terminal Bud
• D. Apical Bud

Answer: (D)

Growth in plants happens where there are meristems, regions of actively dividing cells that drive elongation and new tissue formation. For grasses, the primary growth point is the apical bud at the tip of the shoot, where the apical meristem resides. This growing point continuously produces new cells, allowing the blade to lengthen and develop. Lateral buds grow laterally along the stem and aren’t the main source of blade elongation; a node is simply a location on the stem where leaves attach; and while the terminal bud is at the tip, the term apical bud specifically identifies the active growing point responsible for blade growth.