Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(I) The predominant type of endosperm is nuclear type.
(II) Coconut water is the male gametophyte.
(III) Coconut possesses both free-nuclear and cellular forms of endosperm.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → I and III
The primary endosperm cell divides repeatedly and forms a triploid endosperm tissue. The cells of this tissue are filled with reserve food materials and are used for the nutrition of the developing embryo. In the most common type of endosperm development, the PEN undergoes successive nuclear divisions to give rise to free nuclei. This stage of endosperm development is called free-nuclear endosperm. Subsequently cell wall formation occurs and the endosperm becomes cellular. The number of free nuclei formed before cellularisation varies greatly. The coconut water from tender coconut is nothing but free-nuclear endosperm (made up of thousands of nuclei) and the surrounding white kernel is the cellular endosperm.