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 undergoes one meiotic division to produce four megaspores. Typically, three of these megaspores degenerate, and the remaining functional megaspore undergoes three rounds of mitosis to form the eight-nucleate, seven-celled embryo sac (the mature female gametophyte).