Question

If the endosperm cells of an angiosperm seed are pentaploid, then such a seed may have been formed by which of the following parents?

• A. Triploid female and diploid male.
• B. Diploid male and tetraploid female.
• C. Both parents are tetraploid.
• D. Triploid male and diploid female.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

If more than two sets of chromosomes are present then that condition is called polyploidy. The correct answer should be B because diploid male undergo meiosis and give rise to haploid male gamete(n). Similarly, the tetraploid female gamete undergoes meiosis that also gives rise to gametes (2n). These female gametes ( $2n+2n$ polar nuclei) fuse with a male gamete that gives rise to pentaploid endosperm.