Describe the structure of a typical anther and its microsporangium. Draw a labelled T.S. of a young anther.

1. 1 · Define in one line. The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower; it has a slender filament and a terminal anther.
2. 2 · Describe the anther. A typical anther is bilobed and dithecous. It is four-sided, with a microsporangium at each corner, two in each lobe; these become pollen sacs.
3. 3 · List the wall layers.
   • Epidermis, endothecium and middle layers: protection and dehiscence of the anther.
   • Tapetum: innermost layer with dense cytoplasm and often more than one nucleus; it nourishes the developing pollen.
4. 4 · Describe the centre. A young microsporangium has compact sporogenous tissue at its centre; each cell can become a pollen mother cell.
5. 5 · Draw a T.S. of a young anther. [Diagram: four microsporangia, epidermis, endothecium, middle layers, tapetum, sporogenous tissue, connective]
6. 6 · Close in one line. So the anther wall protects and feeds the pollen and splits open to release it when mature.

Scoring tip: Write the four wall layers in order from outside to inside. Naming the tapetum and its role is almost always a marking point.