endosperm

American  

[en-duh-spurm] / ˈɛn dəˌspɜrm /

noun

Botany.

1. nutritive matter in seed-plant ovules, derived from the embryo sac.

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endosperm British  

/ ˈɛndəʊˌspɜːm /

noun

1. the tissue within the seed of a flowering plant that surrounds and nourishes the developing embryo

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endosperm Scientific  

/ ĕn′də-spûrm′ /

1. The tissue that surrounds and provides nourishment to the embryo in the seeds of many angiosperms. The cells of the endosperm arise from a process similar to that of fertilization. The pollen of angiosperms contains two sperm, one of which fertilizes the egg cell in the female gametophyte. The second unites with two other nuclei in the female gametophyte, producing cells that are triploid (having three sets of chromosomes) and that develop into the endosperm. In some species of angiosperms, the endosperm is absorbed by the embryo before germination, while in others it is consumed during germination. Embyros that lack an endosperm (such as peas and beans) have absorbed most of their food storage tissues before becoming dormant and develop large, fleshy cotyledons.

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Other Word Forms

• endospermic adjective

Etymology

Origin of endosperm

1840–50; < French endosperme; endo-, sperm ¹

Example Sentences

In our study, we specifically targeted the increase in vitamin B1 content in the endosperm,'' explains Teresa Fitzpatrick, first author of the study.

From Science Daily

Like most plants, the apomictic rice now under development still needs pollen to fertilize its endosperm—the seed tissue that provides sustenance for the developing embryo.

From Science Magazine

All whole grain kernels are comprised of three parts: the bran, the endosperm, and the germ.

From Salon

Grains have three parts: the endosperm, bran and germ.

From Washington Post

Or, if you want to get nitty-gritty about it, a superfine powder, ground from the endosperm of the corn kernel.

From Salon