Question

The morphological nature of the edible part of coconut is:

• A. Cotyledon
• B. Endosperm
• C. Pericarp
• D. Perisperm

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks about the morphological nature of the edible part of a coconut. To solve this, let's analyze the structure and composition of a coconut:

• Cotyledon: In plants, the cotyledon is the first leaf or first pair of leaves that develop in the seed. In the case of the coconut, the cotyledon is not the edible part.
• Endosperm: The endosperm is a tissue produced inside the seeds of most flowering plants following fertilization. It surrounds the embryo, providing nutrition in the form of starch, though it can also contain oils and protein. In coconuts, the white flesh (or meat) and the coconut water are forms of endosperm. The solid and edible part, known as coconut meat, is particularly a cellular endosperm.
• Pericarp: The pericarp is the part of a fruit formed from the wall of the ripened ovary. In the case of the coconut, the outer husk (exocarp), inner husk (endocarp), and the hard shell form the pericarp. These are not the edible parts.
• Perisperm: The perisperm is a nutritive tissue derived from the nucellus that is present in some seeds, but not in coconut.

The key to understanding the edible part of the coconut lies in recognizing the role of the endosperm. Thus, the edible part of a coconut is the endosperm.

Conclusion: The correct answer is the Endosperm.