Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question 1.Name the parts of an angiosperm flower in which development of male and
female gametophyte take place.
Answer:
Development of male gametophyte takes place in anther and female gametophyte in
ovary.

Question 2.Differentiate between microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis. Which

type of cell division occurs during these events? Name the structure formed at the end
of these two events.

Answer:Differences between Microsporogenesis and Megasporogenesis:

No. Microsporogenesis Megasporogenesis

In this process haploid microspores In this process, haploid megaspores

1. are formed from diploid microspore are formed from diploid megaspore
motto’cell. mother cell.

The four microspores formed from a

The four megaspores formed from a
single microspore mother cell are
2 megaspore mother cell are arranged in
generally aranged in a tetrahedral
die from of a linear tetrad.
structure.

All the four microspores arranged in a Only one megaspore remain functional
3.
tetrahedral tetrad are functional. while the other three degenerates.
Meiosis Occurs during micro and megasporogenesis microspores (Pollen grain) are
formed at the end of micro sporogenesis and female gametophyte (enibro sac) are
formed at the end of megasporogenesis.

Question 3.Arrange the following terms in the correct developmental sequence:

Pollen grain, sporogenous tissue, microspore tetrad, pollen mother cell, male garnets.
Answer:Sporogenous tissue → Pollen mother cell → Microspore → Tetrad → Pollen
grain → Male garnets.

Question 4.With a neat, labelled diagram, describe the parts of a typical angiosperm
ovule.
Answer:Structure of Ovule: Each ovule consists of the following parts as visible in a
longitudinal section:

1. Funicles: It is a stalk-like structure which represents the point of attachment of the

ovule to the placenta of the ovary.
2. Hilum: It is the point where the body of the ovule is attached to the funicles.
3. Integuments: They are the outer layers surrounding the ovule that provide
protection to the developing embryo.
4. Micropyle: It is a narrow pore formed by the projection of integuments. It makes
the point where the pollen tubes enter the ovule at the time of fertilization.
5. Nucellus: It is a mass of parenchymatous tissue surrounded by the integuments
from the outside. The nucellus provides nutrition to the developing embryo. The
embryo sac is located inside the nucellus.
6. Chalazal: It is the based swollen part of the nucellus from where the integuments
originate.
(or)

Question 5.What is mean by monosporic development of a female gametophyte?

Answer:Out of theTour megaspores, three degenerate and only one remains functional
which develops in to a female gametophyte or embryo sac. This is called monosporic
development, i.e., when embryosac develops from one single megaspore it is called
monosporic embryo sac.

Question 6.A neat diagram explains the 7-celled, 8-nucleate nature of the female
gametophyte.

The female gametophyte is formed by the mitotic division of the mother megaspore.
The megaspore divides mitotically thrice to form 8 nucleate embryo sacs.The process of
formation of 7-celled, 8 nucleate nature of female gametophyte is mentioned below:

 Two nuclei are formed after the cell undergoes first mitotic division.
 These two nuclei move towards the micropylar end and the chalzal end,
respectively.
 They divide and redivide to form 8 nucleate stage.
 Consequently, there are four nuclei each on either ends.

 At the micropylar end, three out of the four nuclei differentiate into an egg cell
and synergids.
 At the chalzal end, three out of the four nuclei differentiate as antipodal cells.

 The remaining cells, each from either ends move towards the centre and is
known as polar nuclei.
Therefore on maturation, the female gametophyte looks like a 7-celled structure.
Question 7. What are chasmogamous flowers? Can cross-pollination occur in
cleistogamous flowers? Give reasons to your answer.
Answer: Chasmogamous flowers are open flowers with exposed stamens and stigma
which facilitate cross-pollination.
No cross-pollination occurs in cleistogamous flowers. As these flowers are closed and
never open and thus no transfer of pollen from outside to the stigma of the flower is
possible. So there is no occurs cross-pollination.

Question 8.Mention two strategies evolved to prevent self-pollination in flowers.

Solution:There are two strategies involved in preventing self-pollination in flowers:

 Dichogamy – It refers to the production of male and female reproductive organs

at different times in order to prevent self-fertilization.
  Self-incompatibility – It is a genetically controlled mechanism in which pollen
grains of a flower are unable to completely grow on the stigma of the same
flower.
Question 9.What is self-incompatibility? Why does self-pollination not lead to seed
forma¬tion in self-incompatible species?
Answer:Self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism to prevent self-pollen from
fertilizing the ovules by inhibiting pollen germination or pollen tube growth in the
pistil.
In these cases, self-pollination does not lead to seed formation because fertilization is
inhibited.

Question 10.What is the bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding

programme?

Solution:The bagging technique is helpful in preventing fertilization of stigma by any

undesired pollen by covering the emasculated flower (flower whose anther is removed)
with a polybag or butter paper.The bagging technique is beneficial in the plant breeding
programme. In this, only desired pollens are made to fertilize the stigma in order to
produce plants with desired characteristics.

Question 11.What is triple fusion? Where and how does it take place? Name the nuclei
involved in triple fusion?
Answer:Triple fusion refers to the process of fusion of three haploid nuclei. It takes
place in the embryo sac.
The 3-nuclei that fuse together are the nucleus of the male gamete and 2-polar nuclei of
the central cell to produce a triploid primary endosperm nucleus.

Question 12.Why do you think the zygote is dormant for some time in a fertilized ovule?
Answer:The zygote is formed by the fusion of the male gamete with the nucleus of the
egg cell. The zygote remains dormant for some time and waits for the endosperm to
form, which develops from the primary endosperm cell resulting from triple fusion. The
endosperm provides food for the developing embryo and after the formation of
endosperm, further development of the embryo from the zygote starts.

Question 13.Differentiate between:

(a) Hypocotyl and Epicotyl
(b) Colcoptile and Coleorhiza
(c) Integument and Testa
(d) Perisperm and Pericarp.

Solution:

1. Epicotyl and hypocotyl

 Epicotyl Hypocotyl

Region of embryo above the Region of the embryo below the cotyledon.
cotyledon.

Terminates at the plumule. Terminates at the coteladonary node.

Starts from coteladonary node. Starts from the radicle.

Develops into upper part of the Develops into that part of the stem that develops
stem. into roots.

Elongates in epigeal germination. Elongates in hypogeal germination.

2. Coleoptile and coleorrhiza

Coleoptile Coleorrhiza

It is a protective sheath. It is an undifferentiated sheath.

Protects young shoot tip in cereals and Protects the roots of a germinating grass or
grass. cereal.

Comes out of the soil. Remains inside the soil.

Covers the plumule. Covers the root cap and radical.

Breaks the seed coat and grows. Breaks the seed coat and stops growth.

3. Integument and testa

Integument Testa

Covers the ovule. Outer covering of seed.

The cells are living. The cells are dead.

Pre-fertilized structure. Post fertilized structure.

Sclereids are absent. Sclereids are present.

One or two layered. One layered.

4. Perisperm and pericarp

Perisperm Pericarp

Part of a seed. Part of a fruit.

Usually dry. Dry or fleshy.

Present in only a few seeds. Found in all the fruits.

Non-functional in seed. Protects the fruit and helps in nutrition and dispersal.
Question 14.Why is apple called a false fruit? Which parts of the flower form the fruit?

Answer:Fruits derived not from the ovary but from other accessory floral parts are
called false fruits. On the contrary, true fruits are those fruits in which fleshy parts
develop from an ovary but don’t consist of the thalamus or any other floral parts. In an
apple, the fleshy receptacle forms the main edible part. Hence it is a false fruit.

Question 15.What is meant by emasculation? When and why does a plant breeder
employ this technique?
Answer:Emasculation means the removal of anthers, with forceps, from the flower bud
before dehiscence.
Plant breeder employs this technique to prevent contamination of stigma with the
undesired pollen. This is useful in artificial hybridisation, where desired pollen is
required.

Question 16.If one can induce parthenocarpy through the application of growth
substances, which fruits would you select to induce parthenocarpy and why?
Answer:Parthenocarpy is the process of developing fruits without involving the process
of fertilization or seed formation. Therefore the seedless varieties of economically
important fruits such as orange, lemon, grapes etc. are produced using this technique.
This technique involves inducing fruit formation by the application of plant growth
hormone such as auxins.

Question 17.Explain the role of tape turn in the formation of pollen grain walls.
Answer:Tapetum is the innermost layer of the microsporangium. It produces the exine
layer of the pollen grains, which is composed of sporopollenin, the most resistant fatty,
substance.
During microsporogenesis, the cells of the tapetum produce various enzymes,
hormones, amino acids, and other nutritious materials required for the development of
pollen grains.

Question 18.What is apomixis and what is its importance?

Answer:
Apomixis in the mechanism of seed production without involving the process of
meiosis and syngamy. It plays an important role in hybrid seed production. The method
of producing hybrid seeds by cultivation is very expensive for farmers. Also by sowing
hybrid seeds, it is difficult to maintain hybrid characters that segregate during meiosis.
Apomixis prevents the loss of specific characters in the hybrid. Also, it is a cost-effective
method for producing seeds.

:) Additional questions:)
Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.Development of female gametophyte occurs in which cell?

Answer:By functional megaspore mother cell.

Question 2.What is the other name of female gametophyte?

Answer:Embryo sac.

Question 3.Ovule derives nourishment from which part of the carpel?

Answer:Ovule derives nourishment from placenta.

Question 4.What are cleistogamous flowers ? Give an example.

Answer:The flowers which do not open are called cleistogamous flowers, e.g.
Commelina

Question 5.What is the substance found on the exine of pollen grains?

Answer:Sparopollenin.

Question 6.Give the characters of wind pollinated flowers.

Answer:White in colour, small in size and pollengrains are formed in large number.

Question 7.What is the ploidy of angiospermic endosperm?

Answer:Triploid.

Question 8.Give an example of a monocotyledonous endospermic seed.

Answer:Ricinus.

Question 9.Give example of two false fruit.

Answer:Apple, Jackfruit.

Question 10.What are monocious plants?

Answer:Plants which has both male and female flower.
Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.What is parthenogenesis?

Answer:Parthenogenesis : It is the method of reproduction in which ovum develops
into embryo and forms a new plant without fertilization. It has been observed that
pollination is necessary for parthenogenesis. It stimulates the process. Ulothrix,
Spirogyra and Solan- aceae and Malvaceae family plants reproduce by this method.
Sometimes in some plants ovary also develops into fruit during this process. Such fruits
are called as parthenocarpic fruits.
Example: Banana, Apple, Grapes, Guava etc. shows parthenocarpic fruits.

Question 2.What is Polyembryony?

Answer: Polyembryony : When more than one embryo develops in one seed then this
condition is called as Polyembryony. It is generally found in citrus family. It is also
found in Nicotiana, conifers, rice, wheat. It occurs when fertilization occurs in all
embryo sacs found in the ovule.

Question 3.Describe structure of anther with labelled diagram.

Answer: Structure of Anther : Transverse section of anther shows that it consists of 2
lobes which are connected by connective. Each lobe contains two Pollen sacs.
Innermost layer of pollen sac is called as Tapetum.
Tapetum is a layer rich in nutritive contents which supplies food material for the
developing pollen grains. At first many Pollen mother cells are formed in them which
divides meiotically to form haploid pollen grains.

Question 4.Give four contrivances for self pollination.

Answer:Contrivances for self-pollination:
(1) Bisexuality : When male and female parts are found in same flower then possibility
of self-pollination increases.
(2) Cieistogamy : In Commelina benghalensis both cleistogamous and chasmogamous
flowers are produced. The former are the underground flowers and the latter are the
aerial ones developed on branches. In the small, inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers
the pollen are shed within the closed flowers so that self-pollination is a must. This is
also observed in Impatiens, Oxalis, Viola, Portulaca etc.
(3) Homogamy : Here the stamens and carpels mature at the same time. So, there is a
greater chance of self-pollination as compared to cross-pollination, e.g., Mirabilis,
Argemone etc.
(4) Failure of cross pollination : In some flowers generally cross pollination occurs
but if they fails to do cross pollination then self-pollination occurs.
Question 5.What do you mean by micropropagation?
Answer: Micropropagation : It is a modern method of reproduction. By this process
thousands of new plants can be obtained from few tissues of mother plant. This method
is based on tissue and cell culture technique.
In this process a small part of tissue is separated from the plant and then it is grown in
nutrient medium in aseptic condition. The tissue develops to form a cluster of cells
which is called as callus. This callus can be preserved for long time for multiplication. A
small part of the callus is transferred to nutrient medium, where it grows into a new
plant. This plant is then transferred to the field. By this process Orchids, Carnations,
Chrysanthemum plants can be grown successfully.

Question 6.What are the advantages of cross-pollination?

Answer: Advantages of cross-pollination:
 The weaker characteristics of the race elimi¬nated and replaced by better
character of nature.
 New improved varieties cap be produced by cross-pollination. ‘
 It increases the adaptability of the offsprings.
 Seeds are more vigorous.

Question 7.What is fertilization? Draw labelled diagram showing path of pollen tube
during fertilization.
Or
What do you mean by sexual reproduction? Describe the process of fertilization in
plants with the help of diagram or sexual reproduction.
Answer: Fertilization : The process of fusion of male and female gamete is called as
fertilization or sexual reproduction. As a result of this process a diploid zygote is
formed.
Question 8.Differences between self and cross pollination
Answer:
Differences between Self and Cross poltination :
No. Self pollination Cross pollination

It is the process of transfer of

pollen grains from one flower to Transfer of pollen grains from one flower
1.
the stigma of same flower of same to the stigma of flower of another plant.
plant.

2. Medium is not reqired Medium is required

Attractive, coloured,scent or honey

Plants do not show any special
3. bearing flowers are produced to attract
chara cter.
insect.

Less number of pollen grains are More number of pollen grains are
4.
produced. produced.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.What is self-pollination ? Give advantages and disadvantages of self

pollination.
Answer:Self-pollination : When the pollen grain of one flower are transferred to the
stigma of the same flower then the process is called as self-pollination.

Advantages of self-pollination:
These are the advantages of self pollination:
1) Parental characters can be preserved indefinitely in several generations.
2) Self-pollination helps in maintaining pure lines for experimental hybridization.
3) It is most economical method of pollination. The plants do not consume their
energies in the production of
4) large number of pollen grains, nectar and coloured corolla.
5) It ensures seed production and flowers do not take chances of the failure of
fertilization.
Disadvantages of self-pollination:
These are the disadvantages of self-pollination :
1. The weaker characteristics or defects of the plant can never be eliminated from the
race.
2. No useful characters can be introduced in the race.
3. The immunity of race towards diseases falls and ultimately it falls prey to many
diseases.
Question 2.What is double fertilization?
Or
Explain double fertilization in angiosperms.
Answer:
Double fertilization : It is found in all angiospermic plants. It was first discovered by
S.N. Navaschin (1899) in Lilium and Fritillaria. When pollen tube come in contact of
embryo sac then the tip of the pollen tube disintegrate and release two male gametes
into the embryo sac. Out of which one male gamete (x) fuses with egg cell (x) to form a
diploid zygote. This process is called as fertilization. The second male gamete (x) fuses
with secondary nuclei (2x) to form a triploid body.
The act of two nuclear fusion is called as double fertilization.

Question 3.Describe development of embryo sac or Female gametophyte in

angiosperms.
Answer: Development of embryo sac or Female gametophyte in angiosperms :
During the initial stage of development of ovule primary archesporial cell gets
demarcated at the apex of the nucellus below the epidermis. It divides periclinally into
a outer primary parietal cell or primary wall cell and an inner primary sporogenous
cell. The later acts as a megaspore mother cell which enlarges in size and divide
meiotically to form a row of four megaspores. Of the four cells the upper three cells
degenerate and appear as dark caps while the lowest one functions arid is called the
functional megaspore. The latter greatly enlarges and forms the embryo sac.

Question 4. Describe development of Endosperm.

Answer: Development of Endosperm : It develops from the triploid tissue of the
fertilized embryo sac after the act of double fertilization. It is of the following three
types:
1. Free nuclear endosperm.
2. Cellular type of endosperm.
3. Helobial type of endosperm.
The name refers to the type of nuclear divisions of the endosperm nucleus. If triploid
nucleus divides by free nuclear division the endosperm produced contains many nuclei
lying freely in it and hence it is termed as free nuclear endosperm. If the nuclear
division is followed by wall formation it is called as cellular type. If endosperm is
intermediate between the two types it is called as helobial type.
Question 5.What is male gametogenesis ? Describe male gametogenesis in plants.
Or
Describe development of pollen grain.
Answer:
Male gametogenesis: The process of formation of male gametes is called as male
gametogenesis or microsporogenesis.

Each anther usually consists of two lobes, connected together by a connective. Each
lobe contains two sacs called as Pollen sac. In the early stage of development the anther
comprises of a homogenous mass of cells limited by a well demarcated epidermis.
During the course of development the anther gets four lobed. Each lobe exhibits a
hypodermal lining, few cells thick with distinct nuclei. These hypodermal cells
constitute the archesporium. The cell of archesporium divide periclinally, cutting of
parietal cells towards the periphery and sporogenous cells within it two chambers or
loculi, which are termed as pollen sacs or microsporangia.
Fig. Development of Pollen grain : (A) Formation of Pollen lobes, (B) Archesporial cell,
(C) and (D) Division in Parietal cell, (E) and (F) Parietal layer : Tapetum sporogenous
tissue (G), (H) and (I) Pollen mother cell, (J) Pollen grain, (K) Outer layer Degenerate,
(L) Four free Pollen grains.

Question 6.
Differenciate between:
(i) Embryo sac and Endosperm
(ii) Seed and Ovule
Answer:
(i) Difference between Embryosac and Endosperm:

No. Embryo sac Endosperm

1. It is haploid structure. It is triploid structure.

2. It is found in ovule. It is found in seed.

3. It is formed before fertilization. It is formed after fertilization.

4. Nutritive materials are stored. Nutritive materials are not stored.

 It consists antipodal cells, egg cell, Antipodal cells, egg cell, synergid cells
5.
synergid cells and two polar nuclei. are absent and all cells are similar.

(ii) Difference between Seed and Ovule

No. Seed Ovule

It is formed in the fruit seed is formed Before fertilization ovule is found into
1.
after fertilization of ovule. the ovary called mega sporangium.

Seed is surrounded by integument.

Nucellus is present below the ovule
Outer covering is called outer
2. and is surrounded by inner and outer
integument and inner covering is
covering.
called inner integument.

3. Embryosac is absent in seed. Embryosac is present in ovule.

4. Embryo is present in seed Embryo is absent in ovule.

5. Endosperm may be found in seed Endosperm is not found in ovule.

6. Seed make a new plant Ovule is not germinate.