Endosperm

Endosperm (from Greek ἐντός, Endo = inside and σπέρμα, sperm = seed ) is the endosperm of the seed surrounding the germ, endosperm or in the embryo sac of seed plants ( Spermatophyta ). In some groups of plants, such as orchids, there may not be.

It is the source of nutrients until the young roots absorb nutrients and can start newly formed leaves with photosynthesis. The endosperm supplies so that the seedling until it is for self-sufficient food as a plant capable of.

It includes the primary plant nutrients ( starches and sugars ) and varying depending on the kind of additional supplements which are required for power / combustion. These are stored for example in Orange in larger memory cells.

In the gymnosperms plants ( gymnosperms ), the endosperm develops from the female gametophyte (1n; primary endosperm). In most angiosperms ( Angiospermae ) is produced by fertilization of the two polar nuclei in the embryo sac of triploid Endospermkern (3n ) and falls to the secondary endosperm ( " Polygonum - type").