Endosperm Development
• Endosperm develops first followed by an embryo.
• Endosperm develops from PEN.
• The PEN undergoes successive nuclear divisions to give rise to free nuclei and this stage of endosperm development is called free nuclear endosperm.
• Subsequently, cell wall is formed on the periphery and endosperm becomes cellular.
• This division is followed by cytokinesis and thus endosperm becomes cellular. It is now called cellular endosperm.
Functions
• The cells of endosperm tissue are triploid and filled with reserve food material to nourish the developing embryo.
• The water of tender coconut in the centre is free-nuclear endosperm and white kernel in the outer part is the multicellular endosperm.
• The endosperm may be completely consumed by the developing embryo, e.g., pea, beans, or it may persist in mature seed, e.g., coconut.
