# DBT JRF 2020 — Question 103

Exam: DBT JRF 2020 · Section: B · Topic: Plant Biology · Difficulty: Medium

## Question

In plants, the cells adjacent to the egg cell in an ovule are known as

## Options

- **A.** sperm cells
- **B.** polar nuclei
- **C.** synergids
- **D.** antipodals

## Answer

Option C

## Explanation

Female gametophyte (embryo sac) development in angiosperms (Polygonum type, most common): A single megaspore develops into an 8-nucleate, 7-celled embryo sac: (1) Egg cell (1) — at the micropylar pole; (2) Synergids (2) — flanking the egg cell at the micropylar end; contain filiform apparatus for pollen tube guidance and reception; undergo programmed cell death during fertilisation. (3) Antipodal cells (3) — at the chalazal pole; nutritive role; degenerate after fertilisation. (4) Central cell (1) — contains 2 polar nuclei (fuse to form secondary nucleus); fertilised by second sperm → endosperm (3n). The SYNERGIDS are the cells adjacent to the egg cell.

Source: https://mypyqbuddy.com/questions/in-plants-the-cells-adjacent-to-the-egg-6a05a8a02adafec47029327f