a) Describe the endosperm development in coconut.
b) Why is tender coconut considered a healthy source of nutrition?
c) How are pea seeds different from castor sees with respect to endosperm?

Explanation

(a) In coconut the endosperm development is of free nuclear type. The coconut water from tender coconut is nothing but free nuclear endosperm and the surrounding white kennel is the cellular endosperm. Primary endosperm nucleus undergoes repeated divisions and these nuclei are arranged in the periphery leaving a large central vacuole. Cytokinesis begins from periphery towards the centre making it cellular at maturity The number of free nuclei formed before cellularization varies greatly
(b) Tender coconut is considered a healthy source of nutrition as it is rich source of vitamins and minerals.
(c ) In pea seeds the endosperm is completely consumed during development of embryo and they are called non-endospermic seeds while castor seed has a massive endosperm. Such seeds are called endospermic seeds.