MCQ
The hard outer layer of pollens, named exine, is made of:
  • A
    Cellulose
  • B
    Tapetum
  • C
    Sporopollenin
  • D
    Pectin

Answer

  1. Sporopollenin

Explanation:

Pollen grain has a two-layered wall i.e., exine and intine.

The hard outer layer of pollens, named exine, is made of sporopollenin. It is one of the most resistant organic materials known.

It can withstand high temperature and strong acids and alkali.

No enzyme that degrades sporopollenin is so far known.

This also helps in fossilization of pollen grains.

It is hard so that the pollen grains are well protected from the hazardous environment when they are pollinated by biotic/abiotic agents.

It exhibits a fascinating array of patterns and design which is of taxonomic significances.

It has prominent apertures called germ pores where sporopollenin is absent.

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