Q12 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (22 April Shift 2) · Biology
Given below are two statements about endosperms in angiosperms.
Statement (I): Coconut has a nuclear type of endosperm with a multicellular outer part and a free nuclear vacuolated center.
Statement (II): In the helobial type of endosperm, the micropylar cell shows free nuclear division whereas the chalazal cell shows wall formation after free nuclear divisions.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Statement (I): Coconut has a nuclear type of endosperm with a multicellular outer part and a free nuclear vacuolated center.
Statement (II): In the helobial type of endosperm, the micropylar cell shows free nuclear division whereas the chalazal cell shows wall formation after free nuclear divisions.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
- ABoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
- BBoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
- Correct answerCStatement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
- DStatement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
Solution
Statement (I) is correct. In coconut, the endosperm is of the nuclear type. The primary endosperm nucleus undergoes successive free nuclear divisions. The outer peripheral part undergoes cellularization to form the multicellular solid endosperm (coconut meat), while the center remains a large vacuole filled with free nuclear endosperm (coconut water).
Statement (II) is incorrect. In the helobial type of endosperm, the first division of the primary endosperm nucleus is followed by the formation of a transverse wall, resulting in a large micropylar chamber and a small chalazal chamber. Subsequent divisions in the micropylar chamber are free nuclear, which are later followed by wall formation (cellularization). The chalazal chamber usually remains undivided or undergoes only a few free nuclear divisions without wall formation.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Answer: Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Statement (II) is incorrect. In the helobial type of endosperm, the first division of the primary endosperm nucleus is followed by the formation of a transverse wall, resulting in a large micropylar chamber and a small chalazal chamber. Subsequent divisions in the micropylar chamber are free nuclear, which are later followed by wall formation (cellularization). The chalazal chamber usually remains undivided or undergoes only a few free nuclear divisions without wall formation.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Answer: Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.