Aleurone layerThe outer layer of living cells of the endosperm of wheat and other grain species. It is a single layer of cells that synthesize the enzyme α-amylase, which is secreted during germination into the starch-filled endosperm and breaks down the starch into maltose and glucose. Studies on the barley grain have shown thatgibberellinscontrol the synthesis of the enzyme by switching on the genes for the synthesis of the specific RNA that codes for the α-amylase protein.
