Biology / Unit 10 Bio 2199 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Double Fertilization Mechanism
Captions available
The idea
An angiosperm's pollen tube delivers two sperm cells: one fertilizes the egg, forming the embryo; the other fuses with two nuclei, forming endosperm.
In practice
Endosperm becomes the corn kernel's starchy tissue, a nutrient store from this second fertilization, distinct from the embryo.
Where people slip
Double fertilization is unique to angiosperms — no gymnosperm lineage performs this two-sperm event.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Biology