Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow :- |
What is the final product of sexual reproduction in angiosperms? |
Seed Flower Embryo Endosperm |
Seed |
In angiosperms, the final product of sexual reproduction is the seed. Sexual reproduction in angiosperms involves the fusion of male and female gametes. The male gametes are contained within the pollen grains, which are produced by the anthers of the flower. The female gametes are located within the ovules, which are found within the ovary of the flower. During pollination, pollen grains are transferred from the anthers to the stigma of the flower. This can occur through self-pollination, where the pollen comes from the same flower, or cross-pollination, where the pollen comes from a different flower on the same or another plant. After pollination, the pollen tube grows through the style and reaches the ovary, where it fertilizes the ovules. Fertilization in angiosperms involves the fusion of the sperm nucleus from the pollen grain with the egg nucleus within the ovule. This process gives rise to the zygote, which is the initial cell of the new plant. The zygote undergoes further development and eventually forms an embryo. The ovule, after fertilization, undergoes changes and develops into a seed. The seed consists of the embryo, which is the young plant in a dormant state, surrounded by protective seed coats. In addition to the embryo, the seed may also contain endosperm, a nutrient-rich tissue that provides nourishment to the developing embryo. The seed is the final product of sexual reproduction in angiosperms because it contains all the necessary structures and resources for the development of a new plant. It serves as a means of dispersal and ensures the survival and propagation of the species. |