Endosperm has allowed the angiosperms to become the most numerous and diverse plant group. What is the role of the endosperm?
A) It is a type of male gamete.
B) It is the hard outer seed coat that protects the embryo.
C) It ejects and disperses seeds after they mature.
D) It is the ripened ovary tissue involved in seed dispersal and protection.
E) It provides nutrition for the developing embryo, therefore increasing survival rates.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Endosperm is a tissue produced inside the seeds of most of the flowering plants following fertilization. It surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of starch, though it can also contain oils and protein. This nutritional support from the endosperm is crucial for the growth and development of the embryo, leading to higher survival rates of seedlings, which has contributed significantly to the success and diversity of angiosperms.

Endosperm Has Allowed the Angiosperms to Become the Most Numerous