Scutellum (botany)
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
The scutellum is part of the structure of a barley and rice[1] seed—the modified seed leaf.
The scutellum (from the latin scutella meaning "small shield") can also refer to the equivalence of a thin cotyledon in monocots (especially members of the grass family). It is very thin with high surface area, and serves to absorb nutrients from the endosperm during germination.[2]
The scutellum is believed to contain an as yet unidentified protein transporter that facilitates starch movement from the endosperm to the embryo.
References
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