What is tapetum?
The tapetum is a layer of cells inside the anther of a flower that provides food and support to developing pollen grains.
It surrounds the pollen mother cells and helps them grow properly by supplying important nutrients like proteins, lipids, and enzymes.
These nutrients help the pollen mature and become ready for fertilization.
One of the main jobs of the tapetum is to produce sporopollenin, which is a strong substance that forms the outer wall of pollen grains.
This coating protects pollen from drying out and makes it tough enough to survive different environmental conditions.
The tapetum also helps in forming the pollen’s outer layer.