Question

What is the function of tapetum in a developing anther?

• A. To draw food materials from the microspores.
• B. To digest the sporocytes.
• C. To supply food materials to the developing microsporocytes.
• D. To give protection to the inner tissues.

Answer 1

The correct option is C To supply food materials to the developing microsporocytes.

The tapetum is a layer of nutritive cells found within the sporangium, particularly within the anther of flowering plants. Tapetum is important for the development of pollen grains. The cells are usually bigger and have more than one nucleus per cell. As the sporogenous cells undergo mitosis, the nuclei of tapetal cells also divide large nuclear constitution of the tapetum helps in providing nutrients and regulatory molecules to the forming pollen grains.