Endosperm is the tissue produced in the seeds of most flowering plants around the time of fertilization. It surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of starch, though it can also contain oils and protein. It has been suggested that Angiospermae, and Anthophyta be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that embryology be merged into this article or section. ... Starch (CAS# 9005-25-8) is a complex carbohydrate which is insoluble in water; it is used by plants as a way to store excess glucose. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with cooking oil. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ...

Endosperm is formed when the two sperm inside a pollen grain reach the interior of an embryo sac or female gametophyte. One sperm fertilizes the egg, forming a zygote, while the other sperm usually fuses with the two female nuclei at the center of the ovary, creating endosperm (double fertilization). Thus endosperm cells are usually triploid (containing three sets of chromosomes) but can vary widely from diploid (2n) to 15n. [1] SEM image of pollen grains from a variety of common plants: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), hollyhock (Sidalcea malviflora), lily (Lilium auratum), primrose (Oenothera fruticosa), and castor bean (Ricinus communis). ... For the video-related acronym, see OVA. A human ovum An ovum (or loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... A zygote (Greek: ζυγωτόν) is a cell that is the result of fertilization. ... Categories: Biology stubs ...

In some species (e.g. grains) the endosperm persists to the mature seed stage as a storage tissue, and in others it is absorbed during embryo development (e.g. common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris) and the function of storage tissue is performed by enlarged seed leaves (cotyledons). In certain species (e.g. corn, Zea mays) the storage function is distributed between both endosperm and the embryo. Some mature endosperm tissues store fats (e.g. castor bean, Ricinis communis) and others (including grains, such as wheat and corn) store mainly starches. The dust-like seeds of orchids have no endosperm. Orchid seedlings are mycoheterotrophic in their early development. In some other species, such as coffee, the endosperm also does not develop.[2] Instead the nucellus produces a nutritive tissue termed perisperm. Binomial name Phaseolus vulgaris L. The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, indigenous to the Americas, is an herbaceous annual plant domesticated independently in ancient Mesoamerica and the Andes, and now grown worldwide for its edible bean, popular both dry and as a green bean. ... For the genus of Crassulaceae, see Cotyledon. ... Binomial name Ricinus communis The castor bean (Ricinus communis) is not a true bean, but a member of the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ... Monotropastrum humile, an obligate myco-heterotroph. ... A cup of coffee Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. ...

There are two different types of endosperm formation, the nuclear (or liquid endosperm) type, where formation of cell wall is delayed for a number of cell divisions and the cellular where cell wall formation is initiated instantly. The nuclear type is the most common one in angiosperms. Sweet corn is picked for eating at the tender liquid endosperm stage, before cell walls have formed and the sugars have been converted to starch. The 'milk' of the coconut is a liquid endosperm. Sweetcorn (or sweet corn, also known as sugar corn), is a hybridized variety of maize (Zea mays), specifically bred to increase the sugar content. ... Binomial name Cocos nucifera L. The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family). ...

Cereal grains

Cereal crops are grown for their palatable fruit (grains or caryopsis), which are primarily endosperm. In the caryopsis, the thin fruit wall is fused to the seed coat. Therefore, the nutritious part of the grain is the seed and its endosperm. In some cases (e.g. wheat, rice) the endosperm is selectively retained in food processing (as in white flour), and the embryo and seed coat removed. Endosperm thus has an important role within the human diet, worldwide. This article is about cereals in general. ... Fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain. ... This article is about cereals in general. ... In botany, a caryopsis is a type of simple dry fruit — one that is moncarpelate (formed from a single carpel) and indehiscent (not opening at maturity) and resembles an achene, except that in a caryopsis the pericarp is fused with the thin seed coat. ...

The aleurone is a maternal tissue that is retained as part of the seed in many small grains. The aleurone functions for both storage and digestion. During germination it secretes the amylase enzyme that breaks down endosperm starch into sugars to nourish the growing seedling.^[1] Aleurone (from Greek aleuron, flour) is a protein found in the endosperm of many seeds. ... α-Amylase Amylase (EC 3. ...

References

1. ^ Endosperm Development. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.