Answer to Question #132655 in Biology for yogi

Question

During paleontological study, scientist found 100 year old pollen grain trapped in the soil. Name the chemicals which made it survive for such a long period of time.

Answer 1

Sporopollenin is a biopolymer that forms the outer layer of the pollen wall - exine. The polymer is highly stable and resistant to various factors comprising pH, temperature, chemicals, enzymes, etc. Sporopollenin consists of crosslinked fatty acids, phenolics and phenylpropanoids making it highly stable biopolymer. This complex molecule provides the preservation of pollen grains in the soil for a long time.