The developmental cycles of animals and plants have contrasting styles. Animals typically have their organs when they are born, and they merely increase in size as time passes. However, trees grow branches, leaves and flowers, and they wither away and new ones grow in course of time.

The life of a plant begins in a seed. The germination process begins when various elements such as sunlight, temprature changes and the presence of nutrients come in proper proportion. The young plant uses the nutrients stored in the seed itself for its early growth and development. The seedling develops chlorophyll and turns green. Most plants start producing chlorophyll when exposed to sunlight as the substance is light induced.

While the growth of animals is reflected all over their bodies, the development of plants happens only in certain areas of their bodies. Such specific regions in the bodies of plants are known as meristems. Meristems are chiefly found at the tips of roots, shoots and in the cambium.

Environment too plays a role in the growth of a plant. A tree located in the open, that receives abundant sunlight tends to grow broad and wide with lots of leaves, whereas, trees that grow in a congested environment will have limited growth. Some chemical regulators play significant roles in growth of plants, too.

 

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