Question

Select the incorrect statement regarding meiosis in flowering plants.

• A. Microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to produce tetrads
• B. Megaspore mother cell produces four megaspores after meiosis
• C. All four megaspores usually remain functional
• D. Meiosis reduces chromosome number to half

Hint:

In most flowering plants, only one megaspore remains functional and forms the embryo sac.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Meiosis is a reductional division that plays a fundamental role in sexual reproduction of flowering plants. It ensures maintenance of chromosome number across generations by reducing the diploid chromosome number to haploid. In flowering plants, meiosis occurs during both microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis. During microsporogenesis:
• A diploid microspore mother cell (PMC) undergoes meiosis.
• Four haploid microspores are produced.
• These microspores remain temporarily arranged in a tetrad. Thus, statement (A) is correct. During megasporogenesis:
• A diploid megaspore mother cell present inside the ovule undergoes meiosis.
• Four haploid megaspores are formed. Thus, statement (B) is also correct. However, in most angiosperms, only one of the four megaspores remains functional while the remaining three degenerate. The functional megaspore later develops into the female gametophyte or embryo sac. Therefore, statement (C) is incorrect. Statement (D) is correct because meiosis always reduces chromosome number from diploid to haploid. Option analysis:
• Option (A): Correct
• Option (B): Correct
• Option (C): Incorrect
• Option (D): Correct Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{(C)}} \]