Endosperm: Types of Endosperm | Examples

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What is Endosperm?, Types of Endosperm? , Examples of Endosperms?
We have already read that endosperm formed as a result of vegetative fertilization in the previous post. Here we are going to discuss basic information about endosperm, types of endosperm, some important terms related to endosperm.

What is Endosperm?

Endosperm develops from triploid primary endosperm nucleus formed after vegetative fertilization in the case of angiosperm but in the case of gymnosperm endosperm is formed before fertilization. The endosperm of a gymnosperm is always haploid whereas endosperm of angiosperm is always triploid.

The endosperm is the nutritive tissue which gives the nutrition for developing embryo as well as a seedling.

Types of Endosperm

There are mainly three types of endosperm occurs in nature

1. Nuclear Endosperm

imgonline com ua CompressToSize — Free Nuclear Endosperm

As name suggests that this type of endosperm is related to Nucleus. Nuclear endosperm formed with the help of mitotic free nuclear divisions without the formation of the wall. a large number of free nuclei formed in the central cell of the embryo sac. A big Central vacuole develops into the embryo sac. This vacuole pushing all the nuclei to the peripheral cytoplasm. Then the cell wall formed.

Example- coconut

2. Cellular Endosperm

imgonline com ua CompressToSize IvMZqX6fA8t9 — Cellular Endosperm

The first nuclear division of the primary endosperm nucleus is done immediately followed by the wall formation. This division forms two equal-sized chambers. These two equal sides Chambers are called the chalazal and micropylar chamber. The subsequent divisions are followed by regular cell wall formation.

Example- Datura

3. Helobial Endosperm

Helobial endosperm development is an intermediate type of endosperm between cellular and nuclear types. Endosperm nucleus division is followed by wall formation and two chambers are formed (chalazal and micropylar chamber). In general chalazal cells does not divide further and function as haustorium. But the nucleus of the large micropylar cell formed nuclear endosperm by repeated free nuclear divisions.

Example- Erumurus

Important terms related to Endosperm

Mosaic endosperm- is the use of endosperm is not homogeneous but there are patches of different colours this situation is called mosaic endosperm. This is a very rare case. The mosaic endosperm is discovered by Webber in 1990 in Zea mays plant.

Ruminate endosperm- ruminate endosperm is called when mature endosperm with irregularity and unevenness in its surface. Ruminate endosperm is found in about 30 to families of Angiospermic plants
Examples- Annonaceae, Palmae

Xenia- effect of pollen on endosperm is known as Xenia. The term “Xenia” is given by Focke in 1881 during the study of reproduction in Maize.

Metaxenia- effect of pollen on semantic tissues lying outside the endosperm is called Metaxenia. The term “Metaxenia” is given by Swingle in 1928 during the study of reproduction in Datepalm.

Other terms

Aleurone Layer- The endosperm is separated from the embryo in by Aleurone Layer in monocotyledonous.
Scutellum– Scutellum is one large and shield-shaped cotyledon in monocotyledonous
Embryology is the study of formation, growth and development of a new individual beginning from egg
The best example of polyembryony- Pinus
The right sequence of development of embryo sac is: Archesporium – megaspore mother cell – megaspore- Embryo sac
Ovule integument gets transformed into seed coat endosperm of a gymnosperm is –Haploid
Autogamy- Self-pollination is called autogamy in which the flower is fertilized by its own pollen grains.
Anthology – Study of flowers is called Anthology, it is a branch of botany
Allogamy – This is called Cross-pollination
Aleurone layer– This is endosperm in monocotyledonous
The function of the embryonal suspensor in angiosperm is-to push embryo deeper into the endosperm
The embryo in Sunflower has- two cotyledons
Xenia is an effect of pollen grains on- Endosperm
The endosperm of angiosperms results after fertilization from- secondary nucleus
On development produces- Embryo
Xenia and Metaxenia are related to- Pollen and endosperm
The coconut water and edible part of coconut are – Endosperm

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