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Endosperm Structure and Development

  • Chapter
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plant Seed Development

Part of the book series: Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants ((CMBP,volume 4))

Abstract

Endosperm is a seed storage tissue formed within the angiosperm embryo sac from a second fertilization of the central cell. Generally, endosperm cells are triploid, rich in cellular reserves, and are compactly arranged without intercellular spaces. Reserves are stored in the form of carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, although specific ratios of these components vary depending on the species. Three general patterns of endosperm development are recognized: nuclear, cellular, and helobial. In nuclear, the primary endosperm cell enlarges by expansion of the central vacuole and many nuclei are formed in the peripheral cytoplasm by free nuclear divisions. The mechanism of cell wall formation, especially that of the very first anticlinal (radial) walls, has been controversial for about 90 years. Replication of nuclear DNA without subsequent mitosis, or endopolyploidization, has been described in the endosperm of many species. The function of DNA amplification is still unresolved. Stored reserves accumulate in endosperms in specific spatial patterns. Most of the endosperm mutations in crop plants, such as maize, originally selected from morphological characteristics have been shown to be involved in various aspects of storage product accumulation, such as starch or protein, or both. The morphogenetic potential of endosperm in flowering plants is extraordinary and will continue to be important in biotechnology. Although some progress has been made to identify specific interactions between endosperm and embryos during seed development, it is clearly quite meager.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

abscisic acid

DAP:

days after pollination

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

kD:

kilodaltons

PCD:

programmed cell death

RER:

rough endoplasmic reticulum

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  1. Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Darleen A. Demason

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  1. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Brian A. Larkins

  2. Laboratory of Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA

    Indra K. Vasil

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Demason, D.A. (1997). Endosperm Structure and Development. In: Larkins, B.A., Vasil, I.K. (eds) Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plant Seed Development. Advances in Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8909-3_3

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