Question

Ubisch bodies are produced by
(a) Middle layers
(b) Tapetal cells
(c) Pollen mother cells
(d) Endothecium

Answer 1

Hint: These are produced by a layer in the anther wall that consists of radially elongated cells and each cell of this layer contains a viscous and dense cytoplasm with one prominent nucleus or many nuclei.

Complete answer:
 Ubisch bodies are also called orbicules and are produced by the tapetal cells. These are first formed as Pro-ubisch bodies and then after being coated by the sporopollenin, they become Ubisch bodies. These help in the formation of the exine. These are small acellular structures and found on the inner tangential and radial walls of the cells present in the tapetal layer. Tapetum is the single, innermost layer of radially elongated cells. Each cell of the tapetum contains a viscous and dense cytoplasm with a prominent nucleus or many nuclei. Tapetum forms the nutritive tissue mass which surrounds the developing pollen grains and thus, provides nutrition to them. Pollen kit and tryphine substances are also secreted by the tapetum. Pollen kit is a sticky mixture of hydrophobic substances and works as pollen attractant, while tryphine is a mixture of hydrophilic substances.
So, the correct answer is ‘Tapetal cells’.

Note: Flattened and crushed parenchymatous cells form the middle layers. Here, the cells in this store reserve food during the early stages of microspore development, and the same is mobilized during the later development of microspores for being utilized by them. The endothecium layer lies below the epidermis and is composed of radially elongated cells. Due to the hygroscopic nature of the cells present in this layer, it helps in the dispersal of the microspores