Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question:

What is the term used to describe the fusion between the other male gamete and the two polar nuclei?

Options:

Syngamy

Primary endosperm development

Triple fusion

Double fertilization

Correct Answer:

Triple fusion

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) -Triple fusion

After entering one of the synergids, the pollen tube releases two male gametes into the cytoplasm of the synergid. One of the male gametes undergoes fusion with the egg cell's nucleus, completing the process known as syngamy. This fusion results in the formation of a diploid cell called the zygote.

Meanwhile, the other male gamete moves towards the central cell, where the two polar nuclei are located. It fuses with these two polar nuclei, leading to the formation of a triploid primary endosperm nucleus (PEN). This fusion of three haploid nuclei is referred to as triple fusion.

In flowering plants, both syngamy and triple fusion occur within the embryo sac, giving rise to the term "double fertilization," which is unique to flowering plants. The central cell, after undergoing triple fusion, becomes the primary endosperm cell (PEC), which develops into the endosperm. On the other hand, the zygote develops into an embryo.