Question

How many meiotic and mitotic divisions need to occur for the development of a mature female gametophyte from the megaspore mother cell in an angiosperm plant?

• A. 1 Meiosis and 2 Mitosis
• B. 1 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis
• C. No Meiosis and 2 Mitosis
• D. 2 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis

Hint:

Megaspore mother cell → 1 Meiosis → 1 surviving megaspore → 3 Mitoses → Embryo sac.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The megaspore mother cell divides meiotically once, yielding four megaspores. Usually, three megaspores degenerate, leaving one functional megaspore. This functional megaspore then undergoes three mitotic divisions, resulting in an eight-nucleate, seven-celled embryo sac, which constitutes the mature female gametophyte.