Question

Which plant cells could be cultured to develop haploid plants?

• A. Anther wall cells
• B. Pollen mother cells
• C. Pollen grains
• D. Stomata cells

Hint:

To get a Haploid, you must start with a Gametophytic cell like a Pollen Grain. Somatic cells will always give you a $2n$ plant.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Haploid plants contain only one set of chromosomes ($n$). To produce them in tissue culture, the starting material (explant) must consist of cells that have already undergone meiosis.

Step 1: Evaluating Diploid Sources.
Anther wall cells (1) and Stomata cells (4) are somatic tissues. They are diploid ($2n$) and will only regenerate into normal diploid plants. Pollen mother cells (2) are the precursor cells that will undergo meiosis, but they are still diploid until that process is complete.

Step 2: Identifying the Haploid Source.
Pollen grains (3) (specifically microspores) are the direct product of meiosis. They contain the reduced ($n$) number of chromosomes. If these cells are diverted from their normal path of becoming sperm and instead induced to divide sporophytically, they form haploid embryos or callus.