In plants, the cells adjacent to the egg cell in an ovule are known as
In plants, the cells adjacent to the egg cell in an ovule are known as
Select an option to attempt
Correct 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.