Question

Explain the development of an anther in angiosperms.

Answer 1

1. Young anther is four-lobed, each lobe has archesporial cells.
2. Archesporial cells divide periclinally into primary parietal (outer) and primary sporogenous (inner) layers.
3. Primary parietal layer forms anther wall layers: epidermis, endothecium, middle layers, and tapetum.
4. Tapetum nourishes developing pollen; middle layers degenerate before meiosis.
5. Sporogenous cells form microspore mother cells.
6. Anther wall layers aid protection and pollen release at maturity.
7. At maturity, the anther dehisces to release pollen grains for pollination.