Endosperm of Areca/Betal Nut is

Options

A. Tetraploid
B. Soft
C. Smooth
D. Ruminate.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Endosperm Formation**: The endosperm is formed by the fertilization process where a male gamete (haploid) fuses with a secondary nucleus (diploid). This results in the formation of a triploid structure (3n).

2. **Types of Endosperm**: There are four main types of endosperm:
- **Free Nuclear Endosperm**: In this type, only nuclear division occurs without cytoplasmic division. An example is coconut milk.
- **Cellular Endosperm**: Here, both nuclear and cytoplasmic divisions occur, leading to the formation of cell walls. An example is the white part of coconut.
- **Helobial Endosperm**: This type features partial cell wall formation initially, followed by a halt in wall formation, placing it between cellular and free nuclear types.
- **Ruminate Endosperm**: This type is characterized by irregular growths or ingrowths of the seed coat into the endosperm, giving it a unique structure.

3. **Identifying the Correct Type for Areca/Betel Nut**: Among the options provided (tetraploid, smooth, soft, ruminant), we need to identify which type of endosperm is associated with Areca/Betel Nut.

4. **Conclusion**: The endosperm of Areca/Betel Nut is classified as **ruminate** due to the presence of horn-like ingrowths of the seed coat into the endosperm.

**Final Answer**: The endosperm of Areca/Betel Nut is **ruminate**.

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