Question

Milky water of green coconut is
A. Liquid chalaza
B. Liquid nucellus
C. Liquid/ free nuclear endosperm
D. Liquid female gametophyte

Answer 1

Hint: The edible part of the coconut fruit is the endosperm tissue. Endosperm tissues undergo one of three main modes of development. They are the nuclear, cellular, and helobial modes. The development of coconut endosperm belongs to nuclear mode.

Complete answer: In early development, coconut water serves as a suspension for the endosperm of the coconut during the nuclear phase of development. As growth continues, the endosperm matures into its cellular phase and deposits into the rind of the coconut pulp.
-Initially, the endosperm is a liquid containing free nuclei generated by a process, in which the primary endosperm nucleus undergoes several cycles of division without cytokinesis. Cytokinesis then occurs, progressing from the periphery towards the center, thus forming the cellular endosperm layer.
-At first, the cellular endosperm is translucent and jelly-like, but it later hardens at maturity to become white edible flesh. The cellularization process in a coconut fruit does not fill up the entire embryo sac cavity but instead leaves the cavity solution-filled. This solution is commonly known as coconut water and it is of cytoplasmic origin.
-Nutrients from coconut water are obtained from the seed apoplast (surrounding cell wall) and are transported through plasmodesmata, which is the connection between cytoplasms of adjacent cells into the endosperm. At the completion of growth, the solid endosperm and the last of the coconut water provide nourishment for the forming embryo and seedling. Thus, coconut water serves the role of a reservoir of nutrients to support tissue growth.
So, the answer is C, i.e., Liquid/ free nuclear endosperm

Note: One health risk arising from excessive consumption of coconut water is an overabundance of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), inducing acute kidney failure, heart arrhythmia, loss of consciousness, and eventually death.