Question

Cotyledon of maize grain is called as
(A) Plumule
(B) Coleorhiza
(C) Coleoptile
(D) Scutellum

Answer 1

Hint: Cotyledon of maize grain has a shield-like shape and is a small structure. It is a modified cotyledon also present in the embryo of grass seed. It is a thin cotyledon.

Complete step by step answer:
Cotyledon of maize grain is called Scutellum.
- The scutellum is very thin but has a high surface area and helps in absorbing nutrients from the endosperm during germination.
- It is a type of modified cotyledon.
- Ploidy of the scutellum is diploid.

So, the correct answer is ‘Scutellum'.

Additional Information: A cotyledon is a very important part of the embryo which is present in the seed of a plant and is also known as ‘the embryonic leaf’ in seed-bearing plants. The number of cotyledons may vary from plant to plant and species to species.
Species that have only one cotyledon are known as monocotyledonous and plants with two cotyledons are termed dicotyledonous. Monocotyledons are also known as monocots and dicotyledons are also known as dicots. The cotyledon of grasses and many other monocotyledons is always a highly modified leaf composed of scutellum and a coleoptile. The scutellum is defined as a type of tissue within the seed that's specialized to absorb stored food from the adjacent endosperm. The coleoptile is a protective cap that helps in covering the plumule. Plumule is known as a precursor for the stem and leaves of plants.

Note: The cotyledons can be of two types. ephemeral, lasting only days after emergence, or persistent, enduring a minimum of a year on the plant. As we know, cotyledons contain the stored food reserves of the seed. When these reserves are exhausted, the cotyledons may turn green and start photosynthesis or may wither because the first true leaves take over food production for the seedling.