Which one of the following is resistant to enzyme action?
- Pollen exine
- Leaf cuticle
- Cork
- Wood fibre
Answer
(1) Pollen exine
Solution
As per NCERT, the hard outer layer of the pollen grain, the exine, is made up of sporopollenin, which is one of the most resistant organic materials known.
⇒ It can withstand high temperatures and strong acids and alkali, and no enzyme that degrades sporopollenin is so far known.
∴ Pollen exine is resistant to enzyme action (that is why pollen grains are well preserved as fossils).
Answer: (1)