The typical angiosperm embryo sac at maturity has:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Two synergids, one egg cell, three antipodals, two polar nuclei
Nuclei: 2 synergids + 1 egg + 3 antipodals + 2 polar nuclei = 8.
Cells: the two polar nuclei share one central cell, so there are 7 cells.
Option (1) Two synergids, one egg cell, three antipodals — Incorrect. It leaves out the polar nuclei of the central cell.
Option (2) Two synergids, one egg cell, three antipodals, two polar nuclei — Correct. The mature embryo sac is 8-nucleate and 7-celled. It has two synergids and one egg cell (the egg apparatus) at the micropylar end, three antipodals at the chalazal end, and the large central cell with two polar nuclei.
Option (3) Three synergids, one egg cell, two antipodals, two polar nuclei — Incorrect. The numbers of synergids and antipodals are swapped.
Option (4) Two synergids, one egg cell, three antipodals, one polar nucleus — Incorrect. The central cell has two polar nuclei; they fuse only later.
NCERT Extract:
The Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo Sac – “… There is a characteristic distribution of the cells within the embryo sac. Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus. The egg apparatus, in turn, consists of two synergids and one egg cell. The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the pollen tubes into the synergid. Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals. The large central cell, as mentioned earlier, has two polar nuclei. Thus, a typical angiosperm embryo sac, at maturity, though 8-nucleate is 7-celled.”