Question

Assertion (A): Cells of the tapetum possess dense cytoplasm and generally have more than one nucleus.

Reason (R): Presence of more than one nucleus in the tapetum increases the efficiency of nourishing the developing microspore mother cells.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Options

• Both A and Rare true and R is the correct explanation of A.

• Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

• A is true but R is false.

• A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

Both A and Rare true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

In flowering plants, the tapetum, the innermost layer of the anther wall, is essential for the growth and nutrition of microspores, or pollen grains. To sustain the growing pollen, tapetal cells have rich cytoplasm and are frequently binucleate or multinucleate. The claim is accurately explained by the fact that additional nuclei increase metabolic support and the secretion of nutrients and enzymes needed for microspore formation.