Question

The mature seed of plants such as gram and peas, possess no endosperm, because
A. These plants are not angiosperms
B. There is no double fertilization in them
C. Endosperm is not formed in them
D. Endosperm got used up by the developing embryo during seed development

Answer 1

Hint: Endosperm is present mainly in the seeds of angiosperms. Their main function is to provide nourishment to the growing embryo.

Complete Answer:
Endosperm is the tissue produced inside the seed of the flowering plants. They are triploid in most species. They were replaced by fleshy cotyledons in dicotyledons. In monocotyledons, they play the function of storing foods. They are rich in carbohydrates and also contain proteins and lipids. Endospermic cells are generally triploid, but in some plants they are diploid. During dormancy, they provide nutrients to the seeds. Endosperms also contain some hormones like cytokinins, and they help in the differentiation of cells.
In some foods like wheat, maize, barley, corn, the endosperm is the main source of food.
There are different types of endosperms present and it includes nuclear endosperm, cellular endosperm, and global endosperm.

The main functions of endosperm are the following:
- They are important for the growth of the embryo and store food.
- They protect the developing embryo and supply nutrients.
- The endospermic tissues were shown to regulate gene expression and also seed germination.
- They induce signals according to environmental conditions.
- They possess cytokinins which help in the regulation of cellular differentiation.
- They may also induce abortion of seeds from the genetically mismatched cross.

The above-given seeds of two plants such as gram and peas both are dicot plants. Most of the space in the seeds is taken by cotyledons and they were filled with materials that nourish the growing embryo.

So the endosperm is mainly used by the developing embryo. So we can conclude that the correct answer to this question is option d) “Endosperm got used up by the developing embryo during seed development”.

Note: Endosperm also occurs in the form of liquid. An example of this is coconut water. Aleurone layer is the outer layer of endosperm and it secrets the amylase enzyme. The amylase enzyme which is present will help to break down the starch contained in the endosperm to sugars.