Q. How many megaspore mother cells are required to produce 100 eggs during meiosis?
Solution:
Megasporogenesis is the process of formation of megaspore in Flowering plants. Diploid MMC (Megaspore Mother Cell) undergoes meiosis and forms four haploid Megaspore tetrad. Unlike Microspore tetrad, which were formed from PMC (Pollen Mother Cell) after meiosis and all four Microspores were functional in a tetrad, in most of the common cases, only one out of four Megaspores remain viable. This is called Functional Megaspore. Only the functional megaspore develops further into mature embryo sac. Such development is called Monosporic Embryo Sac development. The remaining three megaspores, which are situated towards the Chalazal end of ovule, degenerates. The degenerating cells provide energy to the functional megaspores for further division and developments.
The functional megaspore divides three successive mitosis and forms a 7-celled, 8-nucleated, Polygonum type embryo sac, which contain one egg cell or the female gamete.
Thus, one MMC forms one functional megaspore and one megaspore has one egg cell. Hence to produce 100 egg cells, 100 megaspore cell are required.
The functional megaspore divides three successive mitosis and forms a 7-celled, 8-nucleated, Polygonum type embryo sac, which contain one egg cell or the female gamete.
Thus, one MMC forms one functional megaspore and one megaspore has one egg cell. Hence to produce 100 egg cells, 100 megaspore cell are required.