Difference Between Perisperm And Endosperm

Seeds require nourishment for growth, and this nourishment is provided through energy storage. Perisperm and endosperm serve as food-storing tissues, where the stored nutrients are fats, carbohydrates and proteins. These are used during the process of seedling and embryonic development.

What is Perisperm?
What is Endosperm?
Difference Between Perisperm and Endosperm
Practice Problems
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perisperm?

An ovule comprises three distinct components: the integument, which forms the exterior layer, the nucellus and the female gametophyte at the centre.

The inner component of the ovule, known as the nucellus, has the ability to grow to become the perisperm that nourishes the embryo. Perisperm is a diploid tissue that is a remnant of the nucellus in seeds. The development of perisperm leads to the presence of densely-packed food material in the seed, where the remaining space is consumed by the embryo and endosperm.

Perisperm

Image: Perisperm

It also contributes to the size and mass of seeds in some plant families, such as Amaranthaceae and Piperaceae. The families like Cannaceae, Zingiberaceae, Portulacaceae, Capparidaceae and others comprise perisperm.

What is Endosperm?

It is the prominent nucleus originating through fertilisation. Commonly found in seeds of angiosperms. It is triploid in nature, formed by fertilisation of a sperm cell with two polar nuclei. The process is referred to as double fertilisation due to being separate from main fertilisation leading to seed generation. The endosperm is polyploid with 2n to 15n chromosomes. The mitosis results in endosperm formation, which comprises nutrients like starch, oil and proteins. Dicots consume their endosperm during development, thus referred to as exalbuminous, while monocots contain a higher amount of it remaining, thus referred to as albuminous seeds.

Endosperm

Image: Endosperm

Difference Between Perisperm and Endosperm

The differentiating factors between the two are tabulated below:

Factor	Perisperm	Endosperm
Origin	Nucellus	Primary endosperm nucleus
Location	Surrounds the endosperm	Surrounds the embryo
Ploidy	Diploid	Triploid
Maternal Portion	Maternal	Two-thirds part is maternal
Nutrition	Absorbed from endosperm	Absorbed from embryo
Examples	Sugar, beet, black pepper, coffee, etc.	Onion, tomato, castor bean, cereal, etc.

Practice Problems

Q1. What is common between perisperm and endosperm?

A. They are structural tissues
B. They are cells
C. They are responsible for the transport of food
D. They are food storage tissues

Ans. D. They are food storage tissues

Perisperm and endosperm are food storage tissues.

Q2. Which food storage tissue is found in all flowering plants?

A. Perisperm
B. Endosperm
C. Starch
D. None of the above

Ans. B. Endosperm

Perisperm is not found in all angiosperms, but endosperm is present.

Q3. Which food provides endosperm?

A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Oats
D. All of the above

Ans. D. All of the above

Endosperm is one of the major plant-based products which is consumed on Earth. It is consumed mostly from cereal grains, which include all of those mentioned above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are there types of endosperm?
Answer. Yes, the endosperm can be nuclear or cellular. Nuclear endosperm divides repeatedly without cell wall formation, while cellular endosperm comprises individual cells with cell walls.

Q2. Is perisperm a suitable choice for plant breeding?
Answer. Yes, perisperm is suitable for plant breeding, but the common usage of embryos is witnessed for the same.

Q3. In which fruits can we consume perisperm?
Answer. Perisperm is consumed in combination with endosperm in date fruits, coffee beans and palms.