Question

In a flowering plant a microspore mother cell produces four male gametophytes while a megapore mother cell forms only one female gametophyte. Explain.  (2) 

CBSE Class XII Biology Question Paper 2017

Answer 1

In flowering plants, microspore mother cells are found embedded in the sporophytic tissue of anther. These cells undergo meiosis and give rise to four microspores that remain together in a microspore tetrade. After attaining maturity, these microspores separate from each other and each microspore develops into a male gametophyte or pollen grain containing either two cells or three cells. On the other hand, megaspore mother cell develops in the ovary of a flower and divides by meiotic division to produce four megaspores. From these, three degenerate while, the one undergoes further development and mitotic divisions to produce female gametophyte.

Thus, in a flowering plant, a microspore mother cell produces four male gametophytes while, megaspore mother cell produces one female gametophyte.