Question

Consider the following statements & choose the correct answer from the given options.
Statement 1: Innermost layer of microsporangium is tapetum.
Statement 2: Cells of tapetum possess dense cytoplasm more than one nucleus and nourishes developing pollen grains.

• A. Both Statements 1 & 2 are incorrect.
• B. Both Statements 1 & 2 are correct.
• C. Statement 1 is correct & 2 is incorrect.
• D. Statement 2 is correct & 1 is incorrect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Let's analyze each statement:

Statement 1: Innermost layer of microsporangium is tapetum. 

• A typical microsporangium (pollen sac) in an angiosperm anther has several wall layers surrounding the central sporogenous tissue.
• These layers, from the outside inwards, are: the Epidermis, the Endothecium, the Middle layers, and the Tapetum.
• The Tapetum directly surrounds the sporogenous tissue (which develops into pollen mother cells and subsequently pollen grains).
• Therefore, the Tapetum is indeed the innermost wall layer of the microsporangium.
• Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: Cells of tapetum possess dense cytoplasm more than one nucleus and nourishes developing pollen grains.

• The primary function of the tapetum is to provide nourishment to the developing microspores or pollen grains. This part is correct.
• To perform this nutritive function effectively, tapetal cells are metabolically highly active and are characterized by having dense cytoplasm. This part is correct.
• Tapetal cells often undergo abnormal mitotic divisions where nuclear division occurs without cytokinesis (cell division), leading to a multinucleate condition (having more than one nucleus per cell) or polyploidy. This part is correct.
• Therefore, Statement 2 accurately describes the key features and function of tapetal cells.
• Statement 2 is correct.

Conclusion:

Since both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct descriptions related to the microsporangium and its tapetal layer, the correct option is that Both Statements 1 & 2 are correct.

Answer 2

Statement 1: The innermost layer of the microsporangium is the tapetum.
This is correct. A typical microsporangium has four concentric layers — epidermis, endothecium, middle layers, and tapetum — with tapetum being the innermost.
Statement 2: The cells of the tapetum possess dense cytoplasm and often contain more than one nucleus. They play a crucial role in nourishing the developing pollen grains. This statement is also correct.

Therefore, both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct.