Question

Formation of liquid endosperm in coconut takes place because_____
A. Karyokinesis is not followed by cytokinesis.
B. Karyokinesis is followed by cytokinesis.
C. Formation of liquid endosperm is not dependent upon Karyokinesis and cytokinesis.
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: The endosperm is present inside the seeds of most flowering plants. In coconuts, the cell-wall formation is coincident with nuclear divisions. It is mostly polyploid in nature.

Complete answer: The endosperm is developed from the triploid primary endosperm nucleus which results due to the vegetative fertilization (male gamete fuses with the secondary central cells of the nucleus). The primary endosperm nucleus divides by repeated mitotic nuclear-free division without the formation of walls. There is a big central vacuole that is formed in the embryo sac in the nucleus. During the early development of liquid endosperm in coconuts, the nuclei repeatedly divide before cytokinesis. In this, cytokinesis is not followed by karyokinesis and the liquid endosperm is formed. The milky water in the coconut is the liquid endosperm which nourishes the young developing embryo. The cell wall formation occurs from the periphery of the embryo sac towards the centre and leads to the formation of cellular endosperm tissues. In coconut, the endosperm is free nuclear in the centre and multicellular in the outer part. It also contains oils and proteins. Since it is formed by separate fertilization, the endosperm constitutes an organism separate from the growing embryo.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: The endosperm is a tissue produced inside the seeds of most of the flowering plants that results after fertilization. It is triploid in most species. It surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of starch.