Describe the sequence of development of the embryo sac in angiosperms, starting from the megaspore mother cell.
Answer
The megaspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to form a haploid functional megaspore, which then undergoes three mitotic divisions to produce an eight‑nucleate, seven‑cell embryo sac comprising a central cell, two antipodal cells, two synergids, and one egg cell.
Step-by-step solution
- Megaspore mother cell undergoes meiosis I to give two secondary megaspores.
- Meiosis II produces four haploid megaspores; one becomes the functional megaspore.
- Functional megaspore undergoes mitosis I to form two cells.
- It undergoes mitosis II producing a cell that divides to form three cells (one becomes the egg cell).
- The resulting sequence yields an eight‑nucleate, seven‑cell embryo sac with a central cell, two antipodal cells, two synergids, and one egg cell.
Common mistake: Forgetting the third mitotic division or the central cell
Concept tested: Embryo sac development sequence
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
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