Which statement best aligns with the idea that dicots are mostly non-endospermous?

• A. Dicots are mostly endospermous
• B. Dicots always lack endosperm
• C. Most dicots lack endosperm in mature seeds
• D. Dicots never have endosperm

Answer: (C)

In dicot seeds, the endosperm is a tissue that nourishes the embryo during early development. In many dicots, this nourishment is transferred to the cotyledons, and the endosperm is consumed or greatly reduced as the seed matures. As a result, the mature seed typically stores nutrients in the cotyledons rather than in the endosperm, making it non-endospermous. That’s why the statement Most dicots lack endosperm in mature seeds is the best fit. There are exceptions where endosperm persists in some species, or where opposite patterns occur, but the common pattern for most dicots is a mature, endosperm-free seed.