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Biology / Unit 11   Bio 2517 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Why a Nail in a Trunk Never Rises

Captions available

The idea

A nail hammered into a tree trunk stays at the same height above ground for the tree's life.

In practice

Because primary growth per Bio 2513 occurs only at apical meristems, the trunk section holding the nail never elongates further.

Where people slip

"A tree grows taller from the base," per Bio 2515, mistakes lower-trunk girth increase for lengthwise growth that does not occur there.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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