Endosperm development

• Endosperm serves as principal nutritive support for embryos in many species, especially the monocots.
• In angiosperm, the triploid endosperm is formed after fertilization.
• In pteridophytes and gymnosperm, the endosperm is haploid and produced before fertilization.
• Endosperm development acquires energy for growth by the production of outgrowth (haustoria) that penetrates the adjacent maternal nucellus tissue or by direct absorption of nutrients through diffusion from surrounding tissues, especially the nucellus.
• The outermost layer of the endosperm develops into the aleurone layer with high quantities of protein and has an important role in the synthesis of enzymes that degrade the endosperm during germination.