Textbook Problem

In an angiosperm life cycle, sexual reproduction includes:

meiosis within the male gametophyte to produce sperm.

meiosis within the female gametophyte to produce eggs.

meiosis within the ovary to produce megaspores.

fertilization leading to development of microspores.

fertilization leading to development of megaspores.

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The vascular seed plants that have an ovule, which on fertilization forms a seed, are angiosperms. The seed formed is enclosed within the ovary (hollow), which itself is enclosed within the flower. These are also called flowering plants and are known to have most diversity within the Plantae kingdom.

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

The process of meiosis takes place within the ovary to form megaspores in sexual reproduction in an angiosperm life cycle.

Explanation of Solution

Justification/ Explanation for the correct answer:

Option (c) is given as meiosis within ovary to produce megaspore. The production of haploid megaspores takes place within the ovary. The spores that are formed within the ovary help in the development of female gametophyte. These female gametophytes then undergo mitosis to form gametes that fertilize with the male gamete to form an embryo. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Explanation for the incorrect answers:

Option (a) is given as: meiosis within the male gametophyte to produce sperm. The meiosis taking place within the male gametophyte results in the development of spores, microspores. These spores then divide by mitosis to form male gametes. So, it is incorrect.

Option (b) is given as: meiosis within the female gametophyte to produce eggs. When meiosis takes place within the ovary, haploid megaspores are formed. These megaspores then form the female gametophyte by mitosis, which then produces gametes (egg). So, it is incorrect.

Option (d) is given as: fertilization leading to the development of microspores. The microspores are male spores that are formed when male gametophyte undergo meiosis. The fertilization of male and female gametes results in the formation of an embryo. So, it is incorrect.

Option (e) is given as: fertilization leading to the development of megaspores. The megaspores are formed when the female gametophyte undergoes meiosis. These megaspores form the gametes that fertilize with male gametes to form an embryo. So, it is incorrect.

Hence, options (a), (b), (d), and (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that the female gametophyte present within the ovary undergoes meiosis to form megaspores. These megaspores divide by mitosis and form female gametes. Similarly, microspores are produced by the male gametophyte by meiosis, which divides by mitosis and forms male gametes. These two gametes fertilize to form the seed or the embryo.