Q. If there are microspore mother cells in anthers, what will be the number of pollen grains?
Solution:
Microsporogenesis is the process of formation of haploid microspores or pollen grains from the diploid microspore mother cell or the pollen mother cell. The cell division employed in this process is meiosis. Thus, from one MMC, four micropores are formed, which may remain in following types of tetrads:
- Isobilateral tetrad.
- Tetrahedral tetrad.
- Linear tetrad.
These microspores divide mitotically to form vegetative and generative cells and eventually the male gametes.
Thus, from four MMC, there will be 16 pollen grains formed.
- Isobilateral tetrad.
- Tetrahedral tetrad.
- Linear tetrad.
Thus, from four MMC, there will be 16 pollen grains formed.