Question

The scutellum observed in a grain of wheat or maize is comparable to which part of the seed in other monocotyledons?

• A. Endosperm
• B. Cotyledon
• C. Aleurone layer
• D. Plumule

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Cotyledon

The correct option is B:

Explanation for Correct option:

1. Monocotyledonous plants only have one cotyledon in each of their seeds.
2. In the family Poaceae (e.g., wheat, maize, etc.), this cotyledon is termed scutellum, positioned towards the lateral side of the embryonal axis.
3. The growing embryo receives nutrients from it.

Explanation for Incorrect options:
Option A:

1. Endosperm works for the storage of food and provides nutrition to an embryo.
2. The passage of starch from the endosperm to the embryo is thought to be facilitated by a protein transporter that has not yet been discovered in the scutellum.

Option C:

1. Aleurone layer proteinaceous layer that protects the seeds.
2. A variety of hydrolytic enzymes are produced and secreted by aleurone cells, which feed the developing barley embryo by dissolving endosperm components.

Option D:

1. Plumule is a young shoot.
2. The germination of the seed initiates the growth of the seedling.
3. Radicle, hypocotyl, and cotyledons are the three primary components of a typical early seedling.

Final answer: The scutellum observed in a grain of wheat or maize is comparable to the cotyledon part of the seed in other monocotyledons.