Flowering plant serve to protect the sporophylls and to form an envelope attractive to pollinators. The individual members of these surrounding structures are known as sepals and petals (or tepals in flowers such as "Magnolia" where sepals and petals are not distinguishable from each other). The outer series (calyx of sepals) is usually green and leaf-like, and functions to protect the rest of the flower, especially the bud. The inner series (corolla of petals) is, in general, white or brightly colored, and is more delicate in structure. It functions to attract insect or bird pollinators. Attraction is effected by color, scent, and
Calyx of Held a mature calyx that facilitates the consistent, rapid spread of signals in the MNTB-VCN area. A select few processes occur during early neuronal development in order to ensure proper calyx formation, specifically through the influence of Fibroblastic Growth Factor (FGF), transcription factor Math5, neural cell recognition molecule NB-2, and ephrin (Eph) proteins in cells. Math1/Math5 and FGF are two regulators essential for appropriate growth and development of the cochlear nucleus complex, which comprises both the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Sufficient FGF levels ensure proper morphology of the cochlear nuclei, while Math5 insures correct size