Question

Which of the following statements is wrong?

• A. Pollen grains remain viable for several months because their outer covering is made of sporopollenin
• B. No enzyme can degrade sporopollenin
• C. Pollen grains are well represented in fossil strata due to sporopollenin
• D. Pollen wall has cavities containing proteins

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Pollen wall comprises of two principal layers the inner inline and outer exine. The inline is pectocellulosic in nature. A special feature of intine is the presence of beads, ribbons, or plates of enzymatic proteins particularly in vicinity of germ pores. The exiten is composed of sporopollenin which is derived from carotenoids by oxidative polymerization. It is resistant to physical and biological decomposition. Due to this, pollen walls are often preserved for long periods in fossil deposits.