What is the Difference Between Nucellus and Tapetum?

The nucellus and tapetum are both nutritive layers found in plants, but they are located in different parts of the flower and serve different functions. Here are the main differences between nucellus and tapetum:

• Location: The nucellus is a central mass of cells found in the ovules, specifically within the female gametophytes. On the other hand, the tapetum is a layer of tissues present inside the anther walls, which are part of the male gametophytes.
• Function: The nucellus provides nourishment to the developing embryo and endosperm in the female gametophytes. In contrast, the tapetum acts as a nutritive tissue for the developing pollen grains in the male gametophytes.
• Structure: The nucellus is composed of diploid cells and forms several layers just inside the integuments. It often varies in shape and size, which makes it characteristic of plant species. The tapetum, however, is a layer of nutritive cells found within the sporangium, particularly within the anther.

In summary, the nucellus and tapetum are both nutritive layers in plants, but they have distinct locations, functions, and structures. The nucellus is found in the ovules of female gametophytes and nourishes the developing embryo and endosperm, while the tapetum is found in the anther walls of male gametophytes and provides nutrients for the developing pollen grains.

Comparative Table: Nucellus vs Tapetum

Here is a table comparing the differences between the nucellus and tapetum:

Both the nucellus and tapetum are nutritive layers found in flowers, providing nutrients to the female and male gametophytes, respectively. However, they differ in their location, structure, and function.