Arrange the following stages of megasporogenesis in the correct seque…

The correct answer is Option (2) → D, A, C, B

(D) Megaspore mother cell — this comes first. It is a large diploid cell with dense cytoplasm, found in the micropylar region of the nucellus. All the later stages come from it.

(A) Megaspore dyad — this comes second. The mother cell divides by meiosis I into two haploid cells, called a dyad.

(C) Megaspore tetrad — this comes third. Meiosis II divides each cell of the dyad, so four megaspores are formed. Only one of them stays functional.

(B) 8-nucleated embryo sac — this comes last. The functional megaspore divides by mitosis three times, giving the 2-nucleate, 4-nucleate and then the 8-nucleate embryo sac. This is the female gametophyte.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 18-05-2026 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
The Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo sac – “… Megasporogenesis : The process of formation of megaspores from the megaspore mother cell is called megasporogenesis.”
The Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo sac – “… Female gametophyte : In a majority of flowering plants, one of the megaspores is functional while the other three degenerate. Only the functional megaspore develops into the female gametophyte (embryo sac).”
The Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo sac – “… The nucleus of the functional megaspore divides mitotically to form two nuclei which move to the opposite poles, forming the 2-nucleate embryo sac. Two more sequential mitotic nuclear divisions result in the formation of the 4-nucleate and later the 8-nucleate stages of the embryo sac.”