Question

Based on the given excerpt, answer the given question.

Stamen is regarded as a microsporophyll that possesses microsporangia which have microspore mother cells that give rise to microspores. The cells of sporogenous tissues undergo meiotic division to form microspore tetrad. Microspore is present in the bilobed structure called anther. A male gametophyte is a gamete producing haploid phase in a plant. In angiosperms, it is the pollen grains that are regarded as gametophytes.

Endothecium is responsible for ______________ of pollen grains.

i) nutrition
ii) protection
iii) dehiscence
[1 mark]

• A. i
• B. i and ii
• C. ii and iii
• D. ii only

Answer 1

The correct option is C ii and iii

Endothecium is a layer in the wall of a sac-like structure present in the anther called microsporangium. It is responsible for both protection and dehiscence ( bursting open of a pod at maturity) of pollen grains from the anther.

Another layer of microsporangia called tapetum is responsible for the nutrition of pollen grains.