NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Why are pollen grains well-preserved as fossils?
Options
- ABecause of the presence of cellulose
- BBecause of the presence of sporopollenin
- CBecause of their size
- DBecause of their shape
Correct answer
B. Because of the presence of sporopollenin
Step-by-step solution
Pollen grains are generally spherical measuring about 25-50 micrometers in diameter. It has a prominent two-layered wall. The hard outer layer called the exine is made up of sporopollenin which is one of the most resistant organic material known. It can withstand high temperatures and strong acids and alkali. No enzyme that degrades sporopollenin is so far known. Pollen grain exine has prominent apertures called germ pores where sporopollenin is absent. Pollen grains are well preserved as fossils because of the pre