Endosperm Development Traits in a Comparative Analysis of Endospermogenesis and Embryogenesis in Angiosperms.

Abstract

The article discusses the fertilization process, the nucleus position in the primary cell, specifics of early endosperm development, and the principles of its classification. A new, refined classification was proposed for endosperm development modes to include three hierarchic levels: types, subtypes, and variations. Two types were distinguished by the morphogenetic potentials of the micropylar and chalazal primary cells: cellular (karyokinesis is completed with cytokinesis in both cells) and helobial (only karyokinesis takes place in both cells, and the chalazal cell sometimes remains mononucleate). The nuclear endosperm was considered as a subtype of the helobial type. Subtypes were isolated by the extent to which the micropylar and chalazal cells are involved in forming the endosperm. Variations were recognized within the subtypes by the position of walls during the tetrad or triad formation in the cellular endosperm or the number of nuclei in the chalazal cell in the helobial endosperm. The types of embryogenesis are possible to compare with subtypes or even variations of the cellular endosperm type in a comparative analysis of flowering plants, and both of the traits (the contribution of micropylar and chalazal cell derivatives to the endosperm formation and the pattern of primary cell division with the form of the tetrad) should be considered together. Two subtypes and two variations are possible to consider for the helobial endosperm.