Ovule Structure and Embryo Sac — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptThe pistil has three parts - the stigma, style and the ovary. Ovules are present in the ovary. The ovules have a stalk called funicle, protective integument(s), and an opening called micropyle. The central tissue is the nucellus in which the archesporium differentiates. A cell of the archesporium, the megaspore mother cell divides meiotically and one of the megaspores forms the embryo sac (the female gametophyte). The mature embryo sac is 7-celled and 8-nucleate. At the micropylar end is
Which of the following statements are correct regarding megasporogenesis and the development of the female gametophyte in angiosperms? S1: Megasporogenesis involves the meiotic division of a diploid megaspore mother cell (MMC), typically located in the micropylar region of the nucellus, to produce four haploid megaspores. S2: In most flowering plants, the functional megaspore, usually the one at the chalazal end, undergoes three sequential mitotic divisions without immediate cell wall formation to form an 8-nucleate embryo sac. S3: The mature embryo sac is 7-celled and 8-nucleate, comprising an egg apparatus at the chalazal end, three antipodals at the micropylar end, and a central cell with two polar nuclei. S4: The filiform apparatus, present at the micropylar tip of the synergids, plays a vital role in guiding the pollen tube into one of the synergids. S5: The nucellus, which surrounds the embryo sac, consists of cells that are primarily involved in photosynthesis to support embryo sac development.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — S1, S2 and S4
The question asks to identify the correct statements concerning megasporogenesis and female gametophyte development. S1: This statement is correct. NCERT states, 'Ovules generally differentiate a single megaspore mother cell (MMC) in the micropylar region of the nucellus...The MMC undergoes meiotic division... Meiosis results in the production of four megaspores.' The ploidy (diploid MMC to haploid megaspores) is also accurate. S2: This statement is correct. NCERT states, 'In a majority of flowering plants, one of the megaspores is functional while the other three degenerate.' Figure 1.8a implies the functional megaspore is at the chalazal end. The nucleus of the functional megaspore divides mitotically three times to form an 8-nucleate stage, and these divisions are 'strictly free nuclear, that is, nuclear divisions are not followed immediately by cell wall formation.' S3: This statement is incorrect. The egg apparatus is located at the micropylar end, and antipodals are at the chalazal end. NCERT states, 'Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus...Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals.' S4: This statement is correct. NCERT states, '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.' S5: This statement is incorrect. Nucellar cells have 'abundant reserve food materials' and thus are primarily nutritive, not photosynthetic. NCERT does not mention them being photosynthetic. Therefore, statements S1, S2, and S4 are correct.
What does NCERT say about pistil has three parts?
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