One of the most resistant organic materials known is found in the outer wall of pollen grains. It can withstand high temperatures, strong acids, and strong alkalis, and no known enzyme can degrade it. Identify this substance.

Step-by-step solution

Sporopollenin is one of the most resistant organic materials known. It makes up the hard outer layer (exine) of pollen grains, allowing them to withstand high temperatures, strong acids, and alkalis. No enzyme that degrades sporopollenin is so far known. Pectocellulose makes up the inner wall (intine) of the pollen grain, which is not highly resistant. Lignin and suberin are other resistant plant polymers found in secondary cell walls and cork cells respectively, but they are not the primary components of the polle