The arrangement of the nuclei in a normal embryo sac from the chalazal to micropylar end in dicots is -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 3+2+3
The mature embryo sac of a flowering plant has 8 nuclei in 7 cells. Counting from the chalazal end to the micropylar end:
3 antipodal cells at the chalazal end
2 polar nuclei in the large central cell
3 cells of the egg apparatus (2 synergids and 1 egg) at the micropylar end
So the arrangement is 3 + 2 + 3 = 8 nuclei.
NCERT Extract:
The Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo Sac – “… Six of the eight nuclei are surrounded by cell walls and organised into cells; the remaining two nuclei, called polar nuclei are situated below the egg apparatus in the large central cell. 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.”