Question

Endosperm of gymnosperms is
(a)Haploid
(b)Tetraploid
(c)Diploid
(d)None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The gymnosperms produce endosperm before fertilization (pre-fertilization) as it is produced by the female gametophyte whereas the angiosperms produce endosperm after the fertilization (post-fertilization) by the primary endosperm cell (PEC).

Complete answer:
Gymnosperms are a group of plants that contain exposed seeds before and after fertilization as they do not contain any ovary (fruit) wall. The endosperm is a structure that provides nutrition to the developing embryo inside the seed. The endosperm of gymnosperms is haploid as it is produced by the female gametophyte before fertilization takes place. The female gametophyte is gametophytic (haploid) in nature and because fertilization does not take place, thus the endosperm is haploid in nature. The endosperm of the angiosperms is triploid in nature as it is formed as a result of triple fusion (male gamete fuses with the central cell that contains two nuclei).

Additional Information: -The main plant body of gymnosperms is sporophytic in nature and thus it produces haploid spores which can be of two types known as microspores and megaspores.
-Microspores are borne on microsporophylls which are present on male strobili whereas the microspores are borne on the microsporophylls that are present on the female strobili.
-Microspores germinate to produce the male gametophyte known as pollen grain whereas macrospores germinate to produce the female gametophyte.
-The pollen grains are released from microsporophyll after which they reach the archegonia present inside the female gametophyte.
-The male gametes are carried by the pollen tube and fertilization takes place resulting in the formation of a zygote.
So, the correct option is ‘Haploid’.

Note: -Gymnosperms consist of medium-sized trees or tall trees like Sequoia which is one of the tallest tree species or shrubs.
-Gymnosperms are adapted to tolerate extreme conditions of temperature for example the leaves of conifers are needle-shaped, have a thick cuticle, and sunken stomata to prevent water loss.
-Examples of Gymnosperms include Pinus, Cycas, Cedrus, etc.