Embryo Sac Structure: 8-Nucleate, 7-Celled — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2021There is a characteristic distribution of the cells within the embryo sac. Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus. The egg apparatus, in turn, consists of two synergids and one egg cell. The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the pollen tubes into the synergid. Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals. The large central cell, as mentioned earlier, has two polar nuclei. Thus, a typical angiosperm embryo sac, at maturity, though 8-nucleate is 7-celled.
NTA tests whether you know that the mature angiosperm embryo sac has 8 nuclei but only 7 cells. The egg apparatus (2 synergids + 1 egg cell) and 3 antipodals make 6 cells, plus 1 large central cell with 2 polar nuclei makes 7 cells total—but 8 nuclei overall. Students often confuse this by counting cells and nuclei separately or forgetting that the central cell contains 2 nuclei. Remember: 8 nuclei = distributed among 7 cells because the central cell alone holds 2 nuclei. The filiform apparatus guides pollen tubes into the synergid, which is functionally important but doesn't change the count.
A typical angiosperm embryo sac at maturity is: (NEET 2021)
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