endoszpermis

Endosperm is a nutritive tissue that develops within the seed of most flowering plants after fertilization. It serves as a food store for the developing embryo, providing it with essential nutrients like starch, proteins, and oils. The formation of endosperm is a result of double fertilization, a unique process in angiosperms where one sperm nucleus fuses with the egg cell to form the zygote (which develops into the embryo) and another sperm nucleus fuses with the central cell to form the primary endosperm nucleus. This primary endosperm nucleus typically undergoes multiple mitotic divisions to form the endosperm tissue.

The development and structure of endosperm can vary significantly among plant species. In some, it is a temporary tissue that is largely consumed by the embryo during germination, with the cotyledons storing the remaining reserves. In others, like cereals (e.g., wheat, corn) and legumes, the endosperm is a prominent and persistent tissue that remains the primary food source for the seedling until it can photosynthesize effectively. The physical characteristics of endosperm can also differ; it can be starchy, oily, or fleshy. The presence and composition of endosperm are crucial for seed viability and successful germination.