Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question:

Answer the question from the diagram of typical anatropous ovule.

The pollen tube enters the embryo sac through:

Options:

chalazal end

laterally

antipodals

micropylar end

Correct Answer:

micropylar end

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (4) → micropylar end

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,  has two polar nuclei. Thus, a typical angiosperm embryo sac, at maturity, though 8-nucleate is 7-celled.

In most angiosperms, the pollen tube enters the embryo sac through the micropylar end, which is the opening in the ovule closest to the embryo sac. The pollen tube then releases the sperm cells near the egg cell and synergids for fertilization.