Question

Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
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.

• A. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• B. A is true but R is false.
• C. A is false but R is true.
• D. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Hint:

Tapetum = Nurse cells for pollen = Multinucleate.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. Tapetal cells are nutritive cells surrounding developing pollen grains (microspores). They often have multiple nuclei and dense cytoplasm, providing increased metabolic activity to support the developing microspores. The multinucleate condition likely enhances the efficiency of nutrient transfer to the developing pollen.