Question

Which of the following statements is true about tapetum?
A. It is the innermost layer of the anther wall.
B. Cells of tapetum are large in size and have more than one diploid nuclei or polyploidy nucleus.
C. It contributes to the formation of sporopollenin.
D. All of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: The tapetum is a specialized layer of nutritive cells found within the sporangium of flowering plants, specifically within the anther, which is located between the sporogenous tissue and the anther wall. Tapetum is essential for pollen grain nutrition and development and a source of pollen coat precursors, but it does not aid in anther dehiscence.


Step by step solution:
A tapetum is the anther's deepest layer that contains the sporogenous tissue. Microspores are produced by the sporogenous tissue and provide enzymes as well as nutrition for pollen development. Because of mitotic cell division, tapetum is mostly multinucleated. Tapetum polyploidy can also be caused by abnormal cell division.
The tapetum is a massive structure that can absorb food and provide nutrition for pollen grain development. They also assist the regulatory molecules that facilitate pollen grain formation. The cytoplasm of tapetum cells is dense.
Tapetum is a dense single-celled nutritive layer that exists between the epidermis and endodermis. Their cells are diploid at first but can become polyploid as a result of abnormal cell division. Their primary function is to take nutrition from the middle layer and deliver it to the microsporocytes. Tapetum cells can also secrete enzymes and hormones. In the mature anther, the tapetum layer has almost disappeared.
Therefore, it can be said that all the given statements are true.
Thus, the correct option is D.

Note: During microsporogenesis, tapetum cells generate various enzymes, hormones, amino acids, and many other nutritious materials needed for pollen grain development. It also creates the exine layer of pollen grains, which is made up of sporopollenin.