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

The assertion and reason are both factually correct, with the reason adequately supporting the assertion. Tapetal cells, which are nutritive cells that enclose developing pollen grains (microspores), frequently exhibit multinucleation and dense cytoplasm. This cellular structure maximizes metabolic activity to facilitate the nourishment of the developing microspores. The multinucleate state is presumed to optimize the efficiency of nutrient translocation to the developing pollen.