How does a wheat germ acess nutriens from endosperm?

[Danijel Gorupec]

When a plant seed germinates, how exactly does a germ access nutrients from the endosperm? Does it grow like a tiny roots into the endosperm?

Can plant roots absorb starch (or at least break the starch into sugars before absorbing)? For example, if I mix wheat flour into ground and then seed wheat there, will this wheat be able to access nutrients from the flour?

[Danijel Gorupec]

Hmm... searching further, I found the following quote on Wikipedia: "The larger basal cell will give rise to the suspensor, which connects the embryo to the endosperm so that nutrients can pass between them." ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embryo )

"suspensor" seems to be a term, so I found several links explaining it in some details (googled for 'seed suspensor'). Two of them are listed below:

 https://research.mcdb.ucla.edu/Goldberg/research/Pdf/sdarticle.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspensor

Quote form the first link: "For example, the suspensor pushes the embryo proper into the endosperm cavity and connects the embryo proper to surrounding maternal and endosperm tissues - serving as a conduit for nutrients and growth regulators required for embryonic development"

It seems, the 'suspensor' might have an active transmission mechanism, but the nature of it may not be known yet.  However I am not sure if 'suspensor' is really the answer to my question because: the 'suspensor' seems to only exist for a very short period during the very first phase of embryo growth - I am not sure if all the nutrients from the endosperm are absorbed during that time. The 'suspensor' might only consist of a few cells. Subcellular outgrowths might have a role in absorbing nutrients (if I understood correctly).

I also guess, something there, 'suspensor' perhaps, should release enzymes to cut the starch into simple sugars. 

For my second question, I didn't find a valid answer - from the internet readings, I cannot deduce if plant root can absorb glucose or not.  I also cannot find any info if plant roots can emit enzymes to transform starch into simple (absorbable) sugars. However, when I think about it, I would guess the answer is NOT - if plants would be able to absorb starch through their roots, I would expect to see more 'predatory' behavior among plants.

Anyway, I am abandoning this investigation as it seems to require a knowledge well beyond my level.