Question

The endosperm of a gymnosperm is
A)Haploid
B)Diploid
C)Triploid
D)Tetraploid

Answer 1

Hint: In a normal body, the endosperm has half the number of chromosomes present which is different from that of angiosperm as they are vascular plants.

Complete answer:
Let us first study the options to find the correct answer:

Option A: There are two sperm nuclei in a gymnosperm of which one degenerates and the other form is not a real endosperm but a nutritive tissue for the growth and germination of the embryo, so the endosperm of the gymnosperm is a haploid tissue. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

Option B: The endosperm of the gymnosperm is not a diploid tissue as the endosperm
formed in a gymnosperm is not the result of double fertilization as it does not occur in a gymnosperm. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C: The endosperm in gymnosperm is formed before fertilization and also it is not the result of triple fusion, so the endosperm of a gymnosperm is not a triploid tissue. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option D: In gymnosperm the process of fruit formation is absent and they do not have fruits as well as the endosperm develops in a female gametophyte with haploid chromosome so, the endosperm of a gymnosperm does not have tetraploid tissue. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: The endosperm of a gymnosperm is haploid because it is formed from the repeated division of the haploid megaspore and these are genetically diverse. The function of endosperm is as follows,
1)It has a vital role in supporting embryonic growth as it supplies nutrients in the form of starch, oil, etc
2)It also acts a mechanical barrier during seed germination and development thereby controlling embryo growth
3)It protects the embryo