In gymnosperms like Pinus and Cycas, the endosperm is

Options

A. Triploid
B. Haploid
C. Diploid
D. Tetraploid

Answer

To solve the question regarding the nature of endosperm in gymnosperms like Pinus and Cycas, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Definition of Endosperm**:
- The endosperm is a tissue that provides nutrition to the developing embryo in seeds. It is formed during the fertilization process.

2. **Identify the Type of Plants**:
- The question specifies gymnosperms, which are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers like Pinus and Cycas. Gymnosperms are characterized by having "naked seeds," meaning their seeds are not enclosed in an ovary.

3. **Determine the Ploidy Level of Endosperm**:
- In flowering plants (angiosperms), the endosperm is typically triploid (3n), formed after double fertilization. However, in gymnosperms, the formation of endosperm occurs differently.

4. **Research the Formation of Endosperm in Gymnosperms**:
- In gymnosperms such as Pinus and Cycas, the endosperm is formed from the haploid (1n) megasporangium before fertilization. This means that the endosperm is haploid.

5. **Evaluate the Options Given**:
- The options provided are:
- a) Triploid
- b) Haploid
- c) Diploid
- d) Tetraploid
- Since we established that the endosperm in Pinus and Cycas is haploid, the correct answer is option (b) haploid.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the endosperm in gymnosperms like Pinus and Cycas is haploid.

### Final Answer:
The endosperm in gymnosperms like Pinus and Cycas is **haploid**.

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