Chapter 24

760 NCERT Biology Booster
CHAPTER 24
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN
FLOWERING PLANTS
NCERT BIOLOGICS ©
PRE-FERTILISATION: STRUCTURES AND Stamen, Microsporangium and Pollen Grain
EVENTS Androecium
1. Much before the actual flower is seen on a plant, the 1. The androecium represent the male reproductive whorl
decision that the plant is going to flower has taken and is composed of one or more stamens. A typical
place. Several hormonal and structural changes are stamen has a long and slender stalk called the
initiated which lead to the differentiation and further filament, and the terminal generally bilobed
development of the floral primordium. structure called the anther.
2. Inflorescences are formed which bear the floral buds 2. The proximal end of the filament is attached to the
and then the flowers. In the flower the male and female thalamus or the petal of the flower.
reproductive structures, the androecium and the 3. A typical anther is bilobed with each lobe having two
gynoecium differentiate and develop. theca, i.e., they are dithecous. Often a longitudinal
The androecium consists of a whorl of stamens groove runs lengthwise separating the theca in the
representing the male reproductive organ and the anterior region but are attached to each other on the
gynoecium or pistil represents the female back side by a sterile vasculated tissue called
reproductive organ. Gynoecium is composed of one or connective.
more carpels. 4. The bilobed nature of an anther is very distinct in the
3. Comparison between male and female parts transverse section of the anther. The anther is a
of a flower: four-sided (tetragonal) structure consisting of four
microsporangia located at the corners, two in each
S.
No.
Male Parts Female Parts lobe.
5. The microsporangia develop further and become
1. Stamen is a type of Carpel is a type of mega- pollen sacs. They extend longitudinally all through
microsporophyll. sporophyll.
the length of an anther and are packed with pollen
2. Anther has microspor- Ovule is a type of megaspor- grains.
angia which forms pollen angium.
sacs. Microsporangium
3. Pollen grain (a type of Megaspore is present (in an 1. In a transverse section, a typical microsporangium
microspore) is present ovule).
appears nearly circular in outline. It is surrounded by
(in the pollen sac)
four wall layer epidermis, endothecium, middle layers
4. A mature male gameto- A female gametophyte is
and the tapetum.
phyte is represented by a represented by an embryo
pollen grain with 3-celled sac with 7-celled +
+ 3-nucleate stage. 8-nucleate stage.
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants 761
2. The outer three wall layers (i. e.,epidermis, endothecium and middle layers) perform the function of
protection and help in dehiscence of anther to release the pollen. The innermost wall layer (i. e.,
tapetum) nourishes the developing pollen grains.
Fig. 24.1 T.S of a young anther with enlarged view of one microsporangium
3. Different layers of a microsporangium:

(i) Epidermis : It is outermost, single layered with protective function.
(ii) Endothecium :
(a) It is single layered.
(d) Possess a-cellulosic fibrous bands which are hygroscopic and help in anther dehiscence.
(iii) Middle Layers :
(a) It is 1-3 layered.
(b) It degenerates at maturity.
(c) It gives structure and support, also help in dehiscence.
(iv) Tapetum :
(a) The cells of tapetum generally have more than one nucleus (multinucleate) and are polyploid also.
(b) The cells of tapetum possess dense cytoplasm and are the main nourishment provider to the pollens.
Note:
1. Types of tapetum :
S.
Secretory (= Glandular or Parietal) Amoeboid (= Invasive or Periplasmodial)
No
1. Tapetum cells remain intact and secrete their content to Tapetum cells degenerate and the whole mass move to the
nourish pollens. centre to nourish pollens.
2. More common Less common
2. Special properties of tapetum nucleus :

(i) Endomitosis : Mitosis occurs within the intact nuclear envelope. This leads to polyploidy.
(ii) Restitution nuclues formation : Upto anaphase normal mitosis occurs but two sets of chromosomes finally
get surrounded in a common nuclear envelope. This also leads to polyploidy.
(iii) Polyteny : By this mechanism, more than two chromatids are formed per chromosome. This does not lead to
polyploidy.
3. Secretion of tapetum :
(i) Compatibility-incompatibility protein : it is provided to the pollens.
(ii) Enzymes : The most important enzyme is 2. Cell wall formation is Cell wall formation is
callase for dissolution of callose which binds the centripetal. centrifugal.
pollens in a pollen tetrad. 3. Tetrahedral pollen tetrad Isobilateral pollen tetrad is
is formed. formed.
(iii) Ubisch granules : It provides sporopollenin
for exine part of the pollen grain. Sporopollenin 4. Primitive type, e.g., Advanced type, e.g., common
common in dicots. in monocots.
is the oxidised and polymerised product of
caroteinoids, is highly resistant fatty acid
substance related to cutin. It is the chief
Pollen grain (or microspore)
component of exine of pollens. It is due to 1. The pollen grain represents the male gametophyte.
sporopollenin, that pollen grains get fossilised 2. Pollen grains are generally spherical measuring about
in their intact form. Sporopollenin is resistant 25-50 micrometers in diameter. It has a prominent
to high temperature, acid and alkali and all two-layered wall. The hard outer layer called the exine
enzymes. is made up of sporopollenin which is one of the most
Sporopollenin is the hardest substance in the resistant organic material known. It can withstand high
plant body. temperatures and strong acids and alkali. No enzyme
(iv) Pollenkitt : It is the outermost oily (lipid + that degrades sporopollenin is so far known.
caroteinoid) viscous, sticky coating of many 3. Pollen grain exine has prominent apertures called
pollens of entomophilous plants. It acts as an germ pores where sporopollenin is absent. Pollen
attractant for insect pollination and also grains are well preserved as fossils because of the
protects the pollens from the damaging effect of presence of sporopollenin. The exine exhibits a
UV-rays. fascinating array of patterns and designs.
4. The inner wall of the pollen grain is called the intine. It
Microsporogenesis is a thin and continuous layer made up of cellulose and
1. When anther is young, a group of compactly arranged pectin. The cytoplasm of pollen grain is surrounded by a
homogenous cells called the sporogenous tissue plasma membrane.
occupies the centre of each microsporangium. 5. When the pollen grain is mature it contains two cells,
2. As the anther develops, the cells of the sporogenous the vegetative cell and generative cell. Later, the
tissue undergo meiotic divisions to form microspore generative cell undergoes mitosis to produce two male
tetrad (n). gametes. A pollen grain with a vegetative cell and two
3. As each cell of the sporogenous tissue is capable of giving male gametes represent a fully mature male
rise to a microspore tetrad, each one is a potential pollen gametophyte. Initially, a pollen undergoes mitosis to
or microspore mother cell. The process of formation of produce a vegetative cell and a generative cell. Later,
microspores from a pollen mother cell (PMC) through generative cell undergoes mitosis to produce two
meiosis is called microsporogenesis. non-motile male gametes.
4. The microspores, as they are formed, are arranged in a
cluster of four cells–the microspore tetrad. As the (a)
anthers mature and dehydrate, the microspores
dissociate from each other and develop into pollen
grains. Inside each microsporangium several
thousands of microspores or pollen grains are formed
that are released with the dehiscence of anther. (b)
Note: During microsporogenesis, karyokinesis is followed

by cytokinesis. Cytokinesis is of two types :
(c)
S.
Simultaneous Type Successive Type
No.
1. In the pollen mother cell In the pollen mother cell
(PMC), there is no (PMC), there occurs
cytokinesis and cell wall cytokinesis and cell wall (d)
formation after meiosis-I formation successively both
but it occur after meiosis-I and
simultaneously after meiosis-II.
meiosis-II.
Fig. 24.2 Stages of microspore maturing into a pollen grain
Comparison: 7. Pollen grains of many species cause severe allergies

and bronchial afflictions in some people often leading
S. Vegetative cell (= Tube
Generative cell to chronic respiratory disorders– like asthma
No cell)
and bronchitis. Parthenium or carrot grass came into
1. Smaller in size. Bigger in size. India as a contaminant with imported wheat, has
2. Relatively less food, Abundant food. become common in occurrence and causes pollen
cytoplasm dense. allergy.
3. Spindle shaped cell. Not spindle shaped. 8. Pollen grains are rich in nutrients. It has become a
4. Oval/spherical nuclues. Nucleus is irregular shaped. fashion in recent years to use pollen tablets as food
5. It floats in the cytoplasm It takes in the generative cell.
supplements. In western countries, a large number of
of vegetative cell. pollen products in the form of tablets and syrups are
available in the market. Pollen consumption has been
6. It lacks genetic signal to It possess the genetic signal
form pollen tube. to form pollen tube. So, it is claimed to increase the performance of athletes and
also called siphonogenic cell. race horses.
7. It undergoes mitosis to It does not undergo mitosis. 9. Pollen grains of large number of species can be stored
form male gametes. in liquid nitrogen (–196°C) for many years.
6. In over 60 per cent of angiosperms, pollen grains are Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo Sac
shed at this 2-celled stage composed of a vegetative cell Gynoecium
and a generative cell. In the remaining species, the
1. The gynoecium represents the female reproductive
generative cell divides mitotically to give rise to the two
whorl.
male gametes before pollen grains are shed, i. e.,
3-celled stage composed of a vegetative cell and two 2. The gynoecium may consist of a single pistil
non-motile male gametes. (monocarpellary) or may have more than one pistil
(multicarpellary). Multicarpellary pistil can be:
7. When once they are shed, pollen grains have to land on
the stigma before they lose viability if they have to (i) Syncarpous: Pistils remain fused, e. g .,
bring about fertilisation. The period for which pollen Papaver and Hibiscus.
grains remain viable is highly variable and to some (ii) Apocarpous: Pistils are free, e. g ., Michelia.
extent depends on the prevailing temperature and 3. Each pistil has three parts:
humidity. In some cereals such as rice and (i) Stigma: Landing platform for pollens.
wheat, pollen grains lose viability within 30 (ii) Style: Elongated slender part beneath the
minutes of their release, and in some stigma.
members of Rosaceae, Leguminoseae and (iii) Ovary: Basal bulged part. Inside the ovary is
Solanaceae, they maintain viability for the ovarian cavity (locule). The placenta is
months. located inside the ovarian cavity.
Megasporangium (Ovule)
Note:
1. Palynology: It is the study of pollen grains. 1. Ovules are borne on the placenta of an ovary. The
2. Germ-pore : It is a region in the pollen grain where number of ovules in an ovary may be one e.g., wheat,
exine/sporopollenin is absent. From the germ pore, paddy, and mango, or more, e.g., papaya, water-melon,
pollen tube (which is extension of intine ) comes out. orchids.
3. Monosiphonous condition: A single polen tube is 2. The structure of a typical angiospermic ovule:
present in a pollen. This is very common. (i) Funicle: It is the stalk by which an ovule
4. Polysiphonous condition: Multiple pollen tubes remains attached to the placenta of an ovary.
are formed in a pollen e. g ., Malvaceae and (ii) Hilum : It is the site of attachment of funicle to
Cucurbitaceae. the body of an ovule. Thus, hilum represents the
5. Pollen wall is called sporoderm. Seed coat is called junction between ovule and funicle.
spermoderm. (iii) Integument : It represents one (unitegmic) or
6. Exine possess different types of sculpturings in two (bitegmic) protective envelopes of an ovule.
different species so, are taxonomically important. Integuments encircle the ovule except at the tip.
(iv) Micropyle: It represents a region at the tip of an ovule where integument is incomplete.
(v) Chalaza : It is the base of an ovule (opposite to micropyle) from where integument arise.
(vi) Nucellus: It is the main parenchymatous bulk of an ovule present beneath the integument. Cells of the nucellus
have abundant reserve food materials. Located in the nucellus is the embryo sac or female gametophyte. An ovule
generally has a single embryo sac formed from a megaspore.
Note: Types of ovules according to the orientation of ovule w.r.t. funicle :

(i) Orthotropous : Micropyle, chalaza and funicle lie on the same vertical line, e. g ., Piper (and most of the
gymnosperms).]
(ii) Anatropous (=pendulus/resupinate/inverted type): Ovule makes 180° turn, micropyle and hilum lie
close, e. g ., common in 82% of the angiosperms.
(iii) Hemianatropous : Ovule makes 90° turn w.r.t. funicle, e. g ., Ranunculus.
(iv) Campylotropous : Ovule makes more or less 90° turn with micropylar end bend down, e. g ., Brassicaceae and
Leguminosae.
(v) Amphitropous : Both ovule and embryo sac are curved like a horse-shoe, e. g ., Alisma.
(vi) Circinotropous : Ovule makes more than 360° turn and has a coiled funicle, e. g ., Opuntia.
Megasporogenesis
1. The process of formation of megaspores from the megaspore mother cell is called megasporogenesis.
MICROPYLAR END MICROPYLAR END MICROPYLAR END
Meiosis-I Meiosis-II
Fig. 24.3 Parts of an ovule showing megasporogenesis
2. Ovules generally differentiate a single megaspore mother cell (MeMC) in the micropylar region of the nucellus. It
is a large cell containing dense cytoplasm and a prominent nucleus. A single MeMC undergoes meiosis to produce four
megaspores (Megaspore tetrad).
Embryo Sac
1. In majority of the flowering plants, one of the megaspore (farthest from the micropyle) is functional while the
other three (nearest to the micropyle) degenerate.
2. Only one functional megaspore develops into female gametophyte i. e., embryo sac. This method of embryo sac
formation from a single megaspore is called monosporic development, e. g ., Polygonum, Oenothera.
Note:
1. Bisporic embryo sac : Two megaspore nuclei participate in embryo sac development, e.g., Allium and Endymion.
2. Tetrasporic embryo sac : All the four megaspore nuclei participate in embryo sac development, e.g., Adoxa,
Plumbago.
3. The nucleus of the functional megaspore divides mitotically to form two nuclei which move to the opposite poles,
forming the 2-nucleate embryo sac. Two more sequential mitotic nuclear divisions result in the formation of the
4-nucleate and later the 8-nucleate stages of the embryo sac.
These mitotic divisions are strictly free nuclear, that is, nuclear divisions are not followed immediately by cell wall
formation. After the 8-nucleate stage, cell walls are laid down leading to the organisation of the typical female
gametophyte or embryo sac.
MICROPYLAR
END
Product of
free nuclear division
1st 2nd 3rd

mitotic mitotic mitotic
division division division Cytokinesis
and
Rearrangement
Functional
megaspore
Embryo sac
CHALAZAL
END
Fig. 24.4 2, 4 and 8-nucleate stages of embryo sac and a mature embryo sac
4. Six of the eight nuclei are surrounded by cell walls and organised into cells; the remaining two nuclei, called polar nuclei
are situated below the egg apparatus in the large central cell.
5. An organised embryo sac possess the following cells :
(i) Synergids (= helper cells/co-operative cells, n) : These are two in number and have special cellular
thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the
pollen tubes into the synergid. Generally, one synergid degenerates earlier.
(ii) Egg (n) : It is present attached to the synergids, plasmodesmatal connections are present between egg and
synergids. Egg together with synergids at the micropylar end of embryo sac constitute the egg apparatus.
(iii) Antipodals (n) : These are three in number, present towards the chalazal end of embryo sac and represents the
vegetative cell of embryo sac.
(iv) Central cell : It is the largest cell of an embryo sac. It initially possess two polar nuclei ( n ) which fuse
before fertilisation to form the secondary nucleus or fusion nucleus or definitive nucleus (2n).
Note:
1. Development of a male gametopye is partly in-situ (i. e., pre-pollination stage within the anther) and partly ex-situ
(i.e., post-pollination stage on the stigma).
2. Development of female gametophyte is completely in-situ (i.e., within the ovule).
Pollination
1. It is the transfer of pollen grains shed from anther to the stigma of a pistil. This type of pollination in angiosperms is
called indirect pollination.
Note: In gymnosperms pistil is absent and ovules are naked so, pollens directly reach their micropyle hence, pollination
here is called direct pollination.
2. Types of pollination :
Autogamy Geitonogamy Xenogamy or Allogamy

(= true self pollination) (= functionally or ecologically (= functionally as well as
cross pollination but genetically self pollination) genetically true cross-pollination)
OR
+ + + + +
A bisexual flower of Different bisexual flowers of a Different flowers of different plants

a bisexual plant is bisexual plant or male and female are involved. These plants can be
involved, e.g., Vinca, flowers of a monoecious plant is bisexual, monoecious or dioecious,
Pisum. involved, e.g., Zea mays, Cucurbita. e.g., Salvia, Vallisneria, Grasses.
Contrivances/Adaptations/ Facilitation for Self Pollination (Inbreeding devices)

(i) Bisexuality : It is the presence of both male and female parts in a flower, e. g ., Pisum (pea).
(ii) Homogamy : Both male and female parts of the flower mature at the same time, e.g., Pisum.
(iii) Bud pollination : Both male and female parts mature before the opening of bud so, pollination occur inside the bud,
e.g., Pisum, Oryza (rice).
(iv) Cleistogamy : In a normal bisexual flowers which opens and exposes the anthers and stigma, complete autogamy is
rather rare. Autogamy in such flowers require synchrony in the pollen release and stigma receptivity also, the anthers
and stigma should lie close to each other so that self-pollination can occur.
In a special adaptation called cleistogamy, the bisexual flowers remain closed even at maturity (with anther and
stigma lying close to each other). Cleistogamy ensures assured seed set even in the absence of pollinators.
Cleistogamous flowers are invariably autogamous as there is no chance of cross-pollination, e. g ., Oxalis, Viola
(common pansy) and Commelina (these three plants also have chasmogamous flowers which opens after bud condition
and have exposed anther and stigma).
(v) Fail-safe device : In those bisexual flowers where cross-pollination is a failure, self-pollination occur e.g., in the
disc-floret of sunflower, stigma bends (curl back) to receive the pollen grains.
Note:
(a) Advantages of Self-pollination :
(i) It produces homozygous progeny.
(ii) It can maintain pure lines.
(iii) Flowers do not develop attractants for favouring external agencies.
(b) Disadvantage of Self-pollination :
(i) It decreases variability, vigour and vitality in the offsprings as new traits are not produced.
(ii) The recessive traits, if harmful gets expressed.
Contrivances/Adaptation/Facilitation for Cross-pollination (Outbreeding Devices)

1. Unisexuality (Dicliny) : Flowers are unisexual or diclinous. e.g., Carica papaya, Phoenix (date palm)
2. Dichogamy: The male and female parts of a bisexual flower, mature at different times. Dichogamy is of two types :
(a) Protandry: Anthers mature earlier than stigma, e.g., Disc florets of Helianthus annuus (sunflower).
(b) Protogyny: Stigma matures earlier than anthers, e.g., Ficus.
3. Herkogamy : In some bisexual flowers the structure of the male and the female sex organs itself proves a barrier to self
pollination, e. g ., in Calotropis and many orchids pollen grains occur in sacs called pollinia. Two adjacent pollinia are
attached to a common sticky corpusculum to form a translator. Translator can be lifted by insects only.
4. Heterostyly : Flowers have different lengths of styles (b) They often possess well-exposed stamens
relative to stamens, e. g ., Primula. (so that the pollens are easily dispersed
5. Self-incompatibility: This is a genetic mechanism into wind currents) and large
and prevents self-pollen (from the same flower or other often-feathery stigma (to easily trap
flowers of the same plant) from fertilising the ovules by air-borne pollen grains).
inhibiting pollen germination or pollen tube growth in (c) Wind-pollinated flowers often have a
the pistil. Multiple alleles (e.g.,S 1 , S 2 etc.) are single ovule in each ovary and numerous
involved. flowers packed into an inflorescence.
Flowers are not very colourful and do not
produce nectar.
Note:
(d) Examples of anemophilous plants- It is
1. Majority of the flowering plants produce
quite common in grasses (wheat,
hermaphrodite or bisexual flowers and pollen grains
sugarcane, maize and bamboo-all belong
are likely to come in contact with the stigma of the
to Poaceae/ Graminae).
same flower. Continued self-pollination result in
inbreeding-depression. (ii) Water : Pollination by water is called
hydrophily. Hydrophily is quite rare in
Cross-pollination eliminates inbreeding-depression
flowering plants and is limited to about 30
and helps in the formation of hybrid vigour or
genera mostly monocots.
heterosis.
Properties of hydrophilous flowers :
2. In monoecious plants like castor and maize, autogamy
is prevented but not geitonogamy. In dioecious plants (a) Pollen are light weight, are protected from
like papaya and date palm, both autogamy and wetting by a mucilage covering.
geitonogamy are prevented. (b) Flowers are not very colourful and do not
3. (a) Advantages of cross-pollination : produce nectar.
(i) The harmful recessive traits remain (c) Examples of hydrophilous plants—freshwater
unexpressed due to phenomenon of plants like Vallisneria and Hydrilla and marine
heterozygosity. plants like Zostera.
(ii) It introduces genetic variation in the offsprings (d) Types of hydrophily :
which is important for vigour and vitality. (i) Epihydrophily (pollination on the water
(b) Disadvantages of cross-pollination : surface like in Vallisneria—tape grass or
(i) It is a wasteful process in terms of pollen loss. eel grass). In Vallisneria, the famale flower
reach the surface of water by the long stalk
(ii) Undesirable trait may be introduced.
and male flowers or pollens are released
(iii) Pollination occurs by an agency, thereby a
on to the surface of water. They are carried
chance factor is always there.
passively by the water currents, some of
Agents of Pollination them finally reach the female flowers and
stigma to achieve pollination.
1. Plants use two abiotic (wind and water) and one
(ii) Hypohydrophily (pollination beneath
biotic (animals) agents to achieve pollination.
the water surface like in Zostera—sea
Majority of plants use biotic agents for pollination.
grass). In Zostera female flowers remain
Only a small proportion of plants use abiotic agents.
submerged in water and the pollen grains
2. Pollen grains coming in contact with the
are released inside the water. Pollen grains
stigma is a chance factor in both wind and
are long, ribbon-like and they are carried
water pollination. To compensate for this
passively inside the water, some of them
uncertainties and associated loss of pollen grains, the
reach the stigma to achieve pollination.
flowers produce enormous amount of pollen when
compared to the number of ovules available for
pollination. Note: In majority of the aquatic plants such as water
3. Abiotic agents of pollination: hyacinth (Eichhornia) and water lily (plants of
(i) Wind : Pollination by wind is called anemo- family Nympheaceae, e. g ., Nymphaea), the flowers
phily and it is more common than hydrophily. emerge above the level of water and are pollinated
Properties of anemophilous flowers : by insects or winds as in most of the land plants.
(a) The pollen grains are light and non-sticky
so that they can be transported in wind
currents.
4. Biotic agents of pollination: Note:

(i) Majority of flowering plants use a range of 1. Pollen robbers/Nectar robbers : These are
animals as pollinating agents. Bees, butterflies, insects which consume pollen or nectar without
flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths, birds bringing about pollination,e. g ., Bombus robs of nectar
(sunbirds and humming birds) and bats are the of Aquilegia.
common pollinating agents.
2. Ornithophily is pollination by birds, e.g., Bombax,
(ii) Even larger animals such as some primates Collistemon.
(lemurs), arboreal (tree-dwelling) rodents, or
Chiropterophily is pollination by bats, e.g.,
even reptiles (gecko lizard and garden lizard)
Adansonia, Anthocephalus.
have also been reported as pollinators in some
species. Often flowers of animal pollinated Ophiophily is pollination by snakes, e.g., Michelia,
plants are specifically adapted for a particular Santalum.
species of animal. Malacophily is pollination by snails, e.g., Arisaema.
(iii) Entomophily: It is the pollination by insects.
Insects are the most common biotic agents.
Pollen-pistil Interaction
Bees are the most common insect which
act as dominant pollinating agents. 1. Pollination does not guarantee the transfer of the right
Properties of entomophilous flowers: type of pollen (compatible pollen of the same species as
the stigma). Often, pollen of the wrong type, either
(a) Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large,
from other species or from the same plant (if it is
colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar and
self-incompatible), also land on the stigma.
pollens are sticky.
2. The pistil has the ability to recognise the pollen,
(b) When the flowers are small, a number of flowers
whether it is of the right type (compatible) or of the
are clustered into an inflorescence to make them
wrong type (incompatible). If it is of the right type, the
conspicuous.
pistil accepts the pollen and promotes post-pollination
(c) Animals are attracted to flowers by colour
events that leads to fertilisation. If the pollen is of the
and/or fragrance. The flowers pollinated by flies
wrong type, the pistil rejects the pollen by preventing
and beetles secrete foul odours to attract these
pollen germination on the stigma or the pollen tube
animals.
growth in the style.
(d) To sustain animal visits, the flowers have to
3. The ability of the pistil to recognise the pollen followed
provide rewards to the animals. Nectar and
by its acceptance or rejection is the result of a
pollen grains are the usual floral rewards. For
continuous dialogue between pollen grain and the
harvesting the reward(s) from the flower the
pistil. This dialogue is mediated by chemical
animal visitor comes in contact with the anthers
components of the pollen interacting with those of the
and the stigma. The body of the animal gets a
pistil. It is only in recent years that botanists have been
coating of pollen grains, which are generally
able to identify some of the pollen and pistil
sticky in animal pollinated flowers. When the
components and the interactions leading to the
animal carrying pollen on its body comes in
recognition, followed by acceptance or rejection.
contact with the stigma, it brings about
pollination. 4. As mentioned earlier, following compatible
pollination, the pollen grain germinates on the stigma
(e) In some species, floral rewards are in providing
to produce a pollen tube through one of the germ
safe places to lay eggs; an example is that of the
pores. The contents of the pollen grain move into the
tallest flower of Amorphophallus (the flower
pollen tube. Pollen tube grows through the tissues of
itself is about 6 feet in height). A similar
the stigma and style and reaches the ovary. The
relationship exists between a species of moth
growth of pollen tube within the stigma and style is
and the plant Yucca where both species – moth
and the plant – cannot complete their life cycles apical and intercellular.
without each other. The moth deposits its eggs 5. In some plants, pollen grains are shed at two-celled
in the locule of the ovary and the flower, in turn, condition (a vegetative cell and a generative cell). In
gets pollinated by the moth. The larvae of the such plants, the generative cell divides and forms the
moth come out of the eggs as the seeds start two male gametes during the growth of pollen tube in
developing. the stigma. In plants which shed pollen in the
three-celled condition, pollen tubes carry the two male
gametes from the beginning.
6. Pollen tube, after reaching the ovary, enters the ovule DOUBLE FERTILISATION
through the micropyle and then enters one of the
1. After entering one of the synergids, the pollen tube
synergids through the filiform apparatus . Many recent
releases the two male gametes into the cytoplasm of
studies have shown that filiform apparatus present at
the synergid.
the micropylar part of the synergids guides the entry of
pollen tube. 2. One of the male gametes moves towards the egg cell
and fuses with its nucleus thus completing the
7. All these events–from pollen deposition on the stigma
syngamy. This results in the formation of a diploid
until pollen tubes enter the ovule–are together referred
cell, the zygote. The other male gamete moves
to as pollen-pistil interaction.
towards the two polar nuclei located in the central cell
Pollen-pistil interaction is a dynamic process involving
and fuses with them to produce a triploid primary
pollen recognition followed by promotion or inhibition
endosperm nucleus (PEN). As this involves the
of the pollen germination. The knowledge gained in
fusion of three haploid nuclei it is termed triple
this area would help the plant breeder in manipulating
fusion. (Actually, first the two polar nuclei fuse to
pollen-pistil interaction, even in incompatible
form the diploid secondary nucleus which then
pollinations, to get desired hybrids.
undergo fusion with the other male gamete to form
PEN).
Note: 3. Since two types of fusions, syngamy and triple fusion
1. We can study pollen germination by dusting some take place in an embryo sac, the phenomenon is termed
pollen from flowers such as pea, chickpea, Crotalaria, double fertilisation, an event unique to flowering
balsam and Vinca on a glass slide containing a drop of plants. The central cell after triple fusion becomes the
sugar solution (about 10 per cent) with boric acid and primary endosperm cell (PEC) and develops into
calcium salts. After about 15–30 minutes, if we the endosperm while the zygote develops into an
observe the slide under the low power lens of the embryo.
microscope, the pollen tubes come out of the pollen
Two male gametes (M1 and M2)
grains. of a pollen tube
2. Artificial hybridisation:
(i) It is one of the major approaches of crop
improvement programme. In such crossing
experiments it is important to make sure that only M1 (n) + Egg (n) M2 (n) + Secondary
the desired pollen grains are used for pollination nucleus (2n)
and the stigma is protected from contamination Syngamy or Triple fusion or
(from unwanted pollen). This is achieved by generative trophomixis or
emasculation and bagging techniques. fertilisation or vegetative
true fertilization fertilisation
(ii) If the female parent bears bisexual flowers, or pseudofertilisation
removal of anthers from the flower bud before
Zygote (2n) Primary Endosperm
the anther dehisces using a pair of forceps is Cell (PEC) having
necessary. This step is referred to as Primary Endosperm
emasculation. Emasculated flowers have to Nucleus (PEN) (3n)
be covered with a bag of suitable size, generally
made up of butter paper, to prevent
contamination of its stigma with unwanted Note: Double fertilisation was discovered by Nawaschin
pollen. This process is called bagging. and Guignard in Lilium and Fritillaria.
(iii) When the stigma of bagged flower attains
receptivity, mature pollen grains collected
POST-FERTILISATION : STRUCTURES AND
from anthers of the male parent are dusted on
the stigma, and the flowers are rebagged, and EVENTS
the fruits allowed to develop. Following double fertilisation, events of endosperm and
(iv) If the female parent produces unisexual embryo development, maturation of ovule(s) into seed(s)
flowers, there is no need for emasculation. The and ovary into fruit, are collectively termed post-
female flower buds are bagged before the fertilisation events.
flowers open. When the stigma becomes Endosperm
receptive, pollination is carried out using the
desired pollen and the flower rebagged. 1. Endosperm development preceedes embryo develop-
ment since,it has to nourish the embryo.
2. The primary endosperm cell divides repeatedly and forms a triploid endosperm tissue. The cells of this tissue are filled
with reserve food materials and are used for the nutrition of the developing embryo.
3. Types of endosperm and their formation
(a) Nuclear : In this type, the first and all subsequent divisions of PEN initially are not followed by cytokinesis (free
nuclear division) and cell wall formation. Later wall formation occurs and endosperm becomes multicellular.
PEN
PEC
ENDOSPERM
Fig. 24.5 Nuclear endosperm development
e.g., It is the most common type, like in Cocos nucifera (coconut water is nuclear liquid endosperm), Capsella,
Gossypium, Zea mays etc.
(b) Cellular : In this type, the first and all subsequent divisions of PEN are followed by cytokinesis and cell wall
formation.
PEC
ENDOSPERM
Fig. 24.6 Cellular endosperm development
e.g., Cocos nucifera (the solid white part or ‘copra’) Petunia, Magnolia.
4. Endosperm may either be completely consumed by the developing embryo (e.g., pea, groundnut, beans) before seed
maturation or it may persist in the mature seed (e.g. castor and coconut) and be used up during seed germination.
Embryo
1. Embryo develops at the micropylar end of the embryo sac where the zygote is situated.
2. Most zygotes divide only after certain amount of endosperm is formed. This is an adaptation to provide assured
nutrition to the developing embryo.
3. Though the seeds differ greatly, the early stages of embryo development (embryogeny) are similar in both
monocotyledons and dicotyledons.
Dicot Embryo Development (Embryogeny)
1. The typical study is done in Capsella bursa pastoris (Cruciferae or Brassicaceae).
2. The developmental pattern is called crucifer type or Onagrad type.
3. The zyogte undergo first transverse division to form two unequal cells—a large suspensor cell and a small
embryonal cell.
4. The suspensor cell divides by many transverse divisions to form 6-10 celled suspensor.
5. The first cell of the suspensor is called vesicular cell (= haustorial cell) and the last cell of suspensor is called
hypophysis. Hypophysis forms tip of radicle.
6. Suspensor pushes the growing embryo deep inside the food laden endosperm within the embryo-sac.
7. Suspensor finally degenerates after embryo development.
8. The embryonal cell divides initially by two vertical divisions and one transverse division to form an octant. The
epibasal tier of octant embryo forms two cotyledons and a plumule whereas the hypobasal tier forms hypocotyl and
most parts of radicle.
9. The octant-proembryo undergo divisions to form protoderm, procambium and ground meristem. This leads to
globular stage, heart-shape or torpedo stage and finally fully mature embryo.
Vesicular or
Haustorial cell
Micropylar end Suspensor

Suspensor cell
or basal cell
Hypophysis
Hypobasal tier (4-cells)

Octant Epibasal tier (4-cells)
Chalazal end Embryonal cell
(Zygote) or terminal cell (Octant stage)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Degenerating Suspensor
Root Cap
Suspensor Radicle
Two cotyledons
Cotyledons
(Globular stage) (Torpedo/Heart shape stage)

Procambial
(e) (f) stand
(Mature stage)
(g)
Fig. 24.7 Stages of embryogeny in dicot plants
10. A typical dicotyledonous mature embryo consists of an embryonal axis and two cotyledons. The portion of embryonal
axis above the level of cotyledons is the epicotyl, which terminates with the plumule or stem tip. The cylindrical portion
below the level of cotyledons is hypocotyl that terminates at its lower end in the radicle or root tip. The root tip is
covered with a root cap.
Monocot Embryo Development (Embryogeny)
1. The zygote undergoes first transverse division to form two unequal sized cell—the large suspensor cell and small
embryonal cell.
2. The suspensor cell acts as single celled suspensor.
3. The embryonal cell divides by transverse division to form a middle cell and a terminal cell.
4. The terminal cell divides to from mature embryo.
5. Embryos of monocotyledons possess only one cotyledon. In the grass family the cotyledon is called scutellum that is
situated towards one side (lateral) of the embryonal axis. At its lower end, the embryonal axis has the radical and root
cap enclosed in an undifferentiated sheath called coleorrhiza. The portion of the embryonal axis above the level of
attachment of scutellum is the epicotyl. Epicotyl has a shoot apex and a few leaf primordia enclosed in a hollow foliar
structure, the coleoptile.
Seed induced through the application of growth hormones

1. The fertilised ovule is called seed. and such fruits are seedless.
2. Seeds are formed inside fruits. 11. Seeds offer several advantages to angiosperms like:
3. A seed typically consists of seed coat(s), cotyledon(s) (i) Reproductive processes such as pollination and
and an embryo axis. fertilisation are independent of water, seed
4. The cotyledons of the embryo are simple structures, formation is more dependable.
generally thick and swollen due to storage of food (ii) Seeds have better adaptive strategies for
reserves (as in legumes). Mature seeds may be dispersal to new habitats and help the species to
non-albuminous or ex-albuminous. Non-albumi- colonise in other areas.
nous seeds have no residual endosperm as it is (iii) As they have sufficient food reserves, young
completely consumed during embryo development seedlings are nourished until they are capable of
(e.g., pea, groundnut). Albuminous seeds retain photosynthesis on their own.
a part of endosperm as it is not completely used up (iv) The hard seed coat provides protection to the
during embryo development (e.g., wheat, maize, young embryo.
barley, castor). (v) Being products of sexual reproduction, they
5. Occasionally, in some seeds such as black pepper and generate new genetic combinations leading to
beet, remnants of nucellus are also persistent. This variations.
residual persistent nucellus is called perisperm. 12. Seed is the basis of our agriculture. Dehydration and
6. Integuments of ovules harden as tough protective seed dormancy of mature seeds are crucial for storage of
coats. seeds which can be used as food throughout the year
7. The micropyle remains as a small pore in the seed coat. and also to raise crop in the next season.
This facilitates entry of oxygen and water into the seed 13. Seed viability: In a few species the seeds lose
during germination. viability within a few months. Seeds of a large number
8. As the seed matures, its water content is reduced of species live for several years. Some seeds can remain
and seeds become relatively dry (10-15 per alive for hundreds of years. There are several records of
cent moisture by mass). The general metabolic very old yet viable seeds. The oldest is that of a lupine,
activity of the embryo slows down. The embryo may Lupinus arcticus excavated from Arctic Tundra. The
enter a state of inactivity called dormancy, or if seed germinated and flowered after an estimated
favourable conditions are available (adequate record of 10,000 years of dormancy. A recent record of
moisture, oxygen and suitable temperature), they 2000 years old viable seed is of the date palm, Phoenix
germinate. dactylifera discovered during the archeological
9. As ovules mature into seeds, the ovary develops into a excavation at King Herod’s palace near the Dead Sea.
fruit, i.e., the transformation of ovules into seeds and
ovary into fruit proceeds simultaneously. The wall of Note: Orchid fruits possess thousands of tiny seeds . The
the ovary develops into the wall of fruit called fruits of parasitic plants like Orobanche and Striga
pericarp. The fruits may be fleshy as in guava, also possess huge number of tiny seeds.
orange, mango, etc., or may be dry, as in groundnut,
and mustard, etc. Many fruits have evolved
mechanisms for dispersal of seeds. Seed dispersal by APOMIXIS AND POLYEMBRYONY
wind is called anemochory, that by water is called 1. Although seeds, in general are the products of
hydrochory and by animals is called zoochory. fertilisation, a few flowering plants such as some
10. In most plants, by the time the fruit develops from the species of Asteraceae and grasses (Poaceae),
ovary, other floral parts degenerate and fall off. have evolved a special mechanism, to produce seeds
However, in a few species such as apple, strawberry, without meiosis and fertilisation, called apomixis.
cashew, etc., the thalamus also contributes to fruit Thus, apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that
formation. Such fruits are called false fruits. Most mimics sexual reproduction.
fruits however develop only from the ovary and are 2. There are several ways of development of apomictic
called true fruits. Although in most of the species, seeds like:
fruits are the results of fertilisation, there are a few (i) Recurrent agamospermy :
species in which fruits develop without fertilisation. Nucellar or Embryo Embryo
Apospory Apogamy
Such fruits are called parthenocarpic fruits. Integumentary ¾¾¾® sac ¾¾¾® in ovule
Banana is one such example. Parthenocarpy can be
cell (2n ) (2n ) (2n )
In case of recurrent agamospermy, a diploid embryo Importance of Apomixis and its Utility
sac is formed having diploid egg which grows 1. Hybrid varieties of several of our food and vegetable
parthenogenetically into diploid embryo in an ovule. crops are being extensively cultivated. Cultivation of
This embryo containing ovule is now seed, e.g., Poa hybrids has tremendously increased productivity.
(Poaceae), Taraxacum (Asteraceae). 2. One of the problems of hybrids is that hybrid seeds
(ii) Adventive embryony (= Sporophytic have to be produced every year. If the seeds collected
budding): A diploid embryo is formed from cells of from hybrids are sown, the plants in the progeny will
nucellus or integuments without involving embryo sac. segregate and do not maintain hybrid characters.
In adventive polyembrony multiple embryos are Production of hybrid seeds is costly and hence the cost
formed, e.g., Mangifera, Citrus. of hybrid seeds become too expensive for the farmers.
**In Citrus, a seed may posses upto 40 embryos—one 3. If these hybrids are made into apomicts, there is no
normal and the rest nucellar adventive ones. segregation of characters in the hybrid progeny. Then
the farmers can keep on using the hybrid seeds to raise
Note: new crop year after year and does not have to buy
1. Polyembryony is the occurrence of more than one hybrid seeds every year.
embryos in a seed, e. g ., Citrus. 4. Because of the importance of apomixis in hybrid seed
2. Apospory : It is the formation of gametophyte from industry, active research is going on in many
sporophyte without reduction division or meiosis. laboratories around the world to understand the
Apospory can lead to polyploidy in future genetics of apomixis and to transfer apomictic genes
generations. into hybrid varieties.
3. Apogamy : It is the formation of sporophyte from
gametophyte without fertilization.
Section-A : Questions Based on NCERT Textbook

Stamen, Microsporangium and Pollen Grain 6. The diagram given below depicts an anther with :
1. A typical angiospermic anther is ___________ where Pollen grains
each lobe contain __________ microsporangia.
(a) Dithecous, two Pollen
(b) Bilobed, four sacs
(c) Monothecous, two
Line of
(d) Single lobed, four dehiscence
2. Which of the following is true for the transverse section
of a typical microsporangium of angiosperms ?
(a) It is generally surrounded by four wall layers —
epidermis, endothecium, middle layers and tapetum
(b) The outer three wall layers perform the function of
protection and help in dehiscence of anther to
release the pollen
(c) Both (a) and (b)
Filament
(d) Tapetum is the outermost layer (stalk)
3. The cells of tapetum possess __________cytoplasm and
generally have __________ nucleus/nuclei. (a) Monothecous + bisporangiate condition
(a) Light, single (b) Dithecous + tetrasporangiate condition
(b) Light, two (c) Dithecous + bisporangiate condition
(c) Dense, single (d) Monothecous + tetrasporangiate condition
(d) Dense, multiple 7. Suppose in a flower of mustard, each microsporangium
4. Which of the following layers of an anther provides possess 20 pollen mother cells then, the total number of
nourishment to the pollens ? male gametes formed by this flower will be :
(a) Epidermis (a) 3840 (b) 480
(b) Endothecium (c) 240 (d) 120
(c) Both (a) and (b) 8. How many male gametes can be produced by 4 pollen
mother cells ?
(d) Tapetum
(a) 8 (b) 16
5. Read the following statements :
(c) 32 (d) 64
(i) Microspore tetrads possess tetraploid nucleus
9. Pollen grains are generally __________ measuring
(ii) Sporogenous tissue occupies the centre of each
about ________ mm in diameter :
microsporangium
(a) Elongated, 25-50
(iii) Cells of sporogenous tissue undergo meiosis
(b) Spherical, 250-1000
(iv) Each cell of the sporogenous tissue is a potential
microspore mother cell or pollen mother cell (c) Elongated, 250-1000
(v) The process of formation of male gamete in (d) Spherical, 25-50
angiosperms is called microsporogenesis 10. Sporopollenin :
Which of the above statements are correct ? (a) Is the major component of intine
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (b) Can be degraded by few fungal origin enzymes
(b) (iv) and (v) (c) Is highly sensitive to increased temperature in the
(c) (i) and (v) environment
(d) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (d) Can withstand strong acids and alkali
11. Identify A, B, C, D and E in the transverse section of a 14. How many pollen mother cells should undergo
microsporangium. reduction division to produce 80 pollen grains ?
A (a) 20 (b) 32
(c) 16 (d) 8
B 15. Which option correctly defines the property of
vegetative and generative cell of a pollen grain ?
C
Vegetative Cell Generative Cell
(a) Small Big
D
(b) Scanty food matter Abundant food matter
(c) Large with irregular Spindle shaped cell
shaped nucleus
E (d) Floats in the cytoplasm of Floats in the cytoplasm of
generative cell vegetative cell
16. Which of the following is correct ?

(a) In about 60% of angiosperms, pollination occur at
A B C D E 3-celled stage
(a) Epidermis Middle layer Endothecium Pollen Tapetum (b) In about 40% of angiosperms, pollination occur at
mother 2-celled stage
cell (c) Generative cell divides meiotically to form two
(b) Endothecium Epidermis Middle layer Pollen Tapetum male gametes
mother (d) In about 60% of the angiosperms, pollination occur
cell when a pollen grain atleast forms a vegetative cell
(c) Epidermis Endothecium Middle layer Pollen Tapetum and a generative cell
mother 17. The vegetative cell (tube cell) and generative cell are of
cell unequal sizes. This is because :
(d) Middle layer Endothecium Epidermis Pollen Tapetum (a) In future, vegetative cell will undergo mitosis
mother (b) In future, generative cell will undergo meiosis
cell (c) The pollen cell which produces these cells form
asymmetric spindle fibres during mitosis
12. Which of the following is wrong ?
(d) Generative cell possess more cytoplasm than
(a) Germ pore of pollen lack sporopollenin vegetative cell
(b) Pollen grains are well preserved as fossils because 18. Parthenium or carrot grass came into India as a
of the presence of sporopollenin contaminant with imported ________ and causes
(c) Both (a) and (b) _______ .
(d) The exine of pollen grains of different speceis (a) Rice, nausea
exhibit a fascinating array of same type of patterns (b) Maize, pollen allergy
and designs
(c) Wheat, pollen allergy
13. The inner wall of the pollen grain :
(d) Pulses, nausea
(a) Is a thin and continuous layer made up of
19. The development of male gametophyte in angiosperms
sporopollenin
is :
(b) Possess germ pore
(a) Partly in-situ in anther and partly ex-situ on stigma
(c) Directly covers the cytoplasm of pollen as the
(b) Fully in-situ in anther
cytoplasm of pollen grain is not surrounded by a
(c) Fully ex-situ on stigma
plasma membrane
(d) Possible in-vitro only
(d) Is pecto-cellulosic
20. In some cereals like rice and wheat, pollen grains lose (c) Hilum is the point of attachment of funicle to a
viability within _________ but in members of Rosaceae, seed
Leguminosae and Solanaceae, pollen viability is (d) All are correct
maintained for ________ . 26. An ovule generally has :
(a) Months, years (a) A mass of cells called nucellus outside the integuments
(b) Years, months (b) A single embryo sac
(c) Months, 30 minutes (c) More haploid cells than diploid cells
(d) 30 minutes, months (d) Three integuments
21. Suppose in a flower of pea, each microsporangium 27. The embryo sac in an ovule :
possess 20 pollen mother cells, then the total number of (a) Is diploid from the beginning
pollen produced in a flower will be : (b) Degenerates just after double fertilization
(a) 800 (b) 2400 (c) Is a meiocyte
(c) 3200 (d) 40 (d) Is formed from a megaspore
22. Callase : 28. The formation of female gametes in an embryo sac is
(a) Separates the four pollen from pollen tetrad called :
(b) Is secreted by the innermost wall layer of (a) Megasporogenesis
microsporangium (b) Microsporogenesis
(c) Forms callus (c) Microgametogenesis
(d) Both (a) and (b) (d) Megagametogenesis
Pistil, Megasporangium (ovule) and Embryo Sac 29. Ovules generally differentiate :
23. Read the following statements : (a) A single megaspore mother cell (MeMC) in the
(i) Stigma serves as a landing flatform for pollen micropylar region of nucellus
grains (b) A single megaspore mother cell (MeMC) in the
(ii) Placenta is located inside the ovarian cavity chalazal region of nucellus
(iii) Megasporangium is represented by the ovary in (c) Four MeMC in the micropylar region of nucellus
angiosperms (d) Two MeMC in the chalazal region of nucellus
(iv) Cells of nucellus possess scanty food matter 30. Observe the four megaspores of an ovule depicted
(v) Embryo sac is located in the nucellus below and find out which of these (A, B, C, D) survive
Which of the above statements are correct ? to form embryo sac and which of these (A, B, C, D)
degenerates ?
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (iii), (iv) and (v) Micropylar end
(c) (i), (ii) and (v)
(d) (i) and (iii) A
24. Observe the examples given in the box and find out
how many of them possess single ovule in each ovary ? B Megaspore
tetrad
Papaya, water melon, wheat, paddy, orchids and C
mango.
D
(a) Three (b) Four
(c) Five (d) Six
25. Which of the following is correct ? Chalazal end
(a) The body of ovule fuses with funicle in the region Survives Degenerates
called hilum
(a) B, C, D A
(b) Hilum represents the junction between ovule and
funicle (b) D A, B, C
(c) A, B, C D
(d) A B, C, D
31. What is the ploidy level of the cells of the nucellus, (v) Central cell is the smallest cell of an embryo sac
megaspore mother cell, megaspore and female Which of the following statements are correct ?
gametophyte in an angiospermic ovule ? (a) (i), (ii) and (iv) (b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) (iii), (iv) (d) (iv) and (v)
Megaspore Female
Nucellus Megaspore 34. The growth of pollen-tube towards embryo sac is :
mother cell gametophyte
(a) Chemotactic (b) Hydrotrophic
(a) n 2n n 2n
(c) Hydrotactic (d) Chemotropic
(b) n n 2n 2n 35. The filiform apparatus of synergids :
(c) 2n 2n n n (a) Play an important role in guiding the pollen tube
into the synergid
(d) 2n n 2n n
(b) Help in the opening of pollen tube
(c) Prevents pollen tube from bursting
32. Identify A, B, C and D of an embryo sac :
(d) Is diploid
Antipodals
36. Multicarpellary, syncarpous pistil is found in :
(a) Papaver (b) Michelia
(c) Hibiscus (d) Both (a) and (c)
37. Identify A, B, C and D in the diagram given below :
A
B
C
A
D
B
Filiform Polar nuclei
apparatus
C
D
A B C D
A B C D
(a) Endosperm Egg cell Central Synergids
cell Antipodals Pollen tube Synergids Egg cell
(a)
(b) Polar nuclei Central cell Synergid Egg cell
(b) Pollen tube Antipodals Egg cell Synergids
(c) Forms primary Central cell Forms Helper cells
endosperm nucleus zygote (c) Pollen tube Synergids Egg cell Antipodals
(PEN)
(d) Synergids Pollen tube Egg cell Antipodals
(d) Central cell Polar nuclei Forms Cooperative
zygote cells
38. The number of sequential mitosis required to produce a
33. Read the following statements w.r.t. embryo sac. mature embryo sac in most of the angiosperms is :
(i) In an embryo sac, six of the eight nuclei are (a) 3 (b) 2
surrounded by cell walls and organised into cells (c) 1 (d) 4
(ii) The polar nuclei are situated just below the egg 39. The integumented, indehiscent megasporangium
apparatus in the large central cell which permanently store the megaspores :
(iii) The egg apparatus consists of one synergid and (a) Can be observed in pteridophytes
two egg cells (b) Can be observed in bryophytes
(iv) A mature embryo sac possess 7-celled and (c) Is ovule
8-nucleate condition (d) Is ovary
40. Filiform apparatus is : 46. The genetically different types of pollens can be
(a) Present towards chalazal end of an ovule brought in a plant by :
(b) Present towards the micropylar end of an ovule (a) Autogamy (b) Xenogamy
(c) Absent in most angiosperms (c) Geitonogamy (d) Self pollination
(d) Present in gymnosperms 47. Read the following statements :
(i) Majority of the plants use biotic agents for
Pollination
pollination, only a small number of plants use
41. Read the following statements : abiotic agents
(i) In a normal flower which opens and exposes the (ii) The number of ovules produced by a plant in
anthers and the stigma, complete autogamy is general is more than the number of pollens
rather rare (iii) Among biotic agents, insect pollination is most
(ii) Viola, Oxalis and Commelina produce both common
cleistogamous as well as chasmogamous flowers (iv) Among insects the most common pollinator is ant
(iii) Cleistogamous flowers produce assured seed set (v) Pollen grains coming in contact with the stigma is
even in the absence of pollinators a chance factor in both wind and water
(iv) Majority of the plants use abiotic agents for pollination
pollination Which of the above statements are correct ?
(v) Xenogamy does not produce any variation in the (a) (ii), (iii) and (v) (b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
progenies after fertilization
(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (d) (i), (iii) and (v)
Which of the following is/are correct ?
48. In wind pollination (anemophily), flowers :
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(a) Possess well exposed stamens and stigmas are
(b) (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) feathery
(c) (i), (iv) and (v) (b) Have a single ovule in each ovary
(d) (v) only (c) Are packed into inflorescence
42. Geitonogamy : (d) All of the above
(a) Is functionally cross-pollination 49. Read the following statements :
(b) Genetically is similar to autogamy (i) The pollen grains are light and non-sticky
(c) Involves the pollen from same plant (ii) Stamens are well exposed from the flowers
(d) All of the above (iii) Very often feathery stigmas are present
43. In Zea mays : (iv) Single ovule in each ovary is present
(a) Autogamy is not prevented (v) Flowers are packed into inflorescence
(b) Geitonogamy is prevented Which of the following statements are correct w.r.t.
(c) Geitonogamy is not prevented anemophilous plants ?
(d) Allogamy and autogamy are not prevented (a) (i), (ii), (iii) (b) (iii), (iv) and (v)
44. Unisexuality of flowers prevent : (c) (i), (ii) (d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
(a) Autogamy, but not geitonogamy 50. Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants
(b) Autogamy and geitonogamy and is limited to about _______ genera, mostly
(c) Both geitonogamy and xenogamy __________ .
(d) Geitonogamy, but not xenogamy (a) 30, monocots (b) 60, monocots
45. Which of the following is correct ? (c) 30, dicots (d) 60, dicots
(a) Xenogamy occurs only by wind pollination 51. Majority of the aquatic plants :
(b) Chasmogamous flowers do not open at all (a) Have their flowers below water
(c) Cleistogamous flowers are always autogamous (b) Show hydrophily
(d) Geitonogamy inolves the pollen and stigma of (c) Are pollinated by insects or wind
flowers of different plants (d) All of the above
52. Which of the following is correct ? 58. The flowers pollinated by flies and beetles :
(a) Vallisneria and Hydrilla are marine plants (a) Completely lack nectar
(b) In Vallisneria, female flowers are always beneath (b) Give out foul odours
the water (c) Are microscopic
(c) In Vallisneria, pollen grains are released on the (d) Cannot be pollinated by other insects
water surface 59. The usual floral rewards for insects from flowers are
(d) Vallisneria shows hypohydrophily _________ and _____________ during pollination.
53. In sea-grasses such as Zostera : (a) Calyx, corolla
(a) Epihydrophily occurs commonly (b) Androecium and gynoecium
(b) Female flowers remain submerged in water (c) Pollens and nectar
(c) Pollen grains are spherical and are carried actively (d) Stigma and style
inside water 60. Match the columns w.r.t. special devices of
(d) Pollen grains float on the water surface entomophily:
54. Which of the following is common to both wind and
Column-I Column-II
water-pollinated species ?
A. Lever mechanism (i) Salvia
(a) Pollen grains are protected from wetting by a
mucilage covering B. Pit fall mechanism (ii) Calotropis
(b) Flowers are not very colourful and do not produce C. Trap door mechanism (iii) Ficus
nectar D. Translator apparatus (iv) Aristolochia
(c) Feathery stigma
(a) A = (i), B = (iii), C = (iv), D = (ii)
(d) All of the above
(b) A = (i), B = (iv), C = (ii), D = (iii)
55. Match the columns :
(c) A = (iv), B = (ii), C = (ii), D = (i)
Column-I Column-II (d) A = (i), B = (iv), C = (iii), D = (ii)
A. Malacophily (i) Bats 61. Which of the following is not incorrect ?
B. Ophiophily (ii) Birds (a) Pollen grains in entomophilous plants are
C. Chiropterophily (iii) Snakes generally sticky
D. Ornithophily (iv) Snails (b) Lotus flowers are strictly hydrophilous
(c) Anthropophily is pollination by ants
(a) A = (iii), B = (iv), C = (ii), D = (i) (d) Amorphophallus possess the smallest flowers
(b) A = (iv), B = (iii), C = (i), D = (ii) amongst angiosperms
(c) A = (i), B = (ii), C = (iv), D = (iii) 62. Read the following statements :
(d) A = (iv), B = (iii), C = (ii), D = (i) (i) The Yucca plant and the moth Pronuba yuccasella
56. Which of the following is incorrect ? cannot complete their life cycles without each
(a) Anthropophily is not possible other
(b) Larger animals like lemurs, rodents and lizards can (ii) In some insect species, the floral reward for
also act as pollinators pollination is the safe place to lay eggs in the
(c) Often flowers of animal-pollinated plants are spec- flower
ifically adapted for a particular species of animal (iii) Insect robbers consume pollens or nectar without
(d) Bryophytes and pteridophytes do not form pollens bringing about pollination
57. Which of the following is/are the properties of (iv) Majority of the flowering plants produce
insect-pollinated flowers ? hermaphrodite flowers
(a) Are large, colourful, fragrant and nectar-rich (v) Continued cross-pollination results in inbreeding
(b) Small-sized flowers are clustered into an depression
inflorescence Which of the above statements are correct ?
(c) Colour and/or fragrance is present (a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) All of the above (b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) (i), (ii) and (v) Pollen-Pistil Interaction

(d) (ii), (iii) and (v) 70. The receptive organ of pollen grain is :
63. The study of pollens is called : (a) Ovary (b) Style
(a) Palynology (b) Microbiology (c) Stigma (d) Calyx
(c) Anthology (d) Dendrochronology 71. What is the role of germ pore in pollen grain ?
64. Match the columns : (a) Emergence of pollen tube
Column-I Column-II (b) Emergence of plumule
(c) Emergence of radicle
A. Hydrophily (i) Zostera
(d) Emergence of hypocotyl
B. Entomophily (ii) Jasminum
72. Which of the following is correct ?
C. Ornithophily (iii) Triticum
(a) Pollination always guarantee the transfer of the
D. Anemophily (iv) Butea
right type of pollen on stigma
(a) A = (iv), B = (ii), C = (i), D = (iii) (b) Pollen grains of wrong type only land on the stigma
of plants showing self pollination
(b) A = (iv), B = (iii), C = (i), D = (ii)
(c) Pistil has the ability to recognise the compatible or
(c) A = (i), B = (ii), C = (iii), D = (iv)
incompatible pollens
(d) A = (i), B = (ii), C = (iv), D = (iii)
(d) All of the above
65. Which of the following is related to outbreeding
73. The ability of the pistil to recognise the pollen followed
devices ?
by its acceptance or rejection is :
(a) Pollen release and stigma receptivity are not
(a) A chance factor only
synchronised
(b) Due to certain protein factors of petals
(b) Self-incompatibility
(c) The result of a continuous dialogue between the
(c) Production of unisexual flowers
pistil and pollen grains
(d) More than one option is correct
(d) Is mediated physically but not chemically
66. In papaya :
74. The growth of pollen tube into the stigma and style is :
(a) Both autogamy and geitonogamy are prevented
(a) Intracellular and transverse
(b) Xenogamy is prevented
(b) Intercellular and apical
(c) Autogamy is prevented but not geitonogamy
(c) Intracellular and transverse
(d) Geitonogamy is prevented but not autogamy
(d) Intercellular and transverse
67. Which of the following possess both cleistogamous and
chasmogamous flowers ? Double Fertilization
(a) Commelina 75. The central cell of embryo sac, as a result of triple
(b) Oxalis fusion becomes :
(c) Viola (a) Primary endosperm nucleus (PEN)
(d) All of these (b) Endosperm
68. Cleistogamous flowers : (c) Embryo
(a) Are bisexual (d) Primary endosperm cell (PEC)
(b) Are unisexual 76. The primary endosperm cell becomes _________ and
(c) Remain open at maturity zygote becomes _________
(d) Are borne on dioecious plants (a) Embryo, endosperm
69. Pollinium is common in ___________ which belongs to (b) Embryo, integument
the family _________. (c) Integument, embryo
(a) Mangifera, Sapindaceae (d) Endosperm, embryo
(b) Calotropis, Asclepiadaceae 77. The fusion of the male gamete with egg nucleus is
(c) Triticum, Poaceae called :
(d) Pisum, Fabaceae (a) Syngamy
(b) Generative fertilization
(c) Both (a) and (b) (a) A ® C ® D ® B ® E

(d) Trophomixis (b) C ® B ® D ® E ® A
78. Double fertilization was discovered by : (c) A ® B ® C ® E ® D
(a) Nawaschin in Lilium and Fritillaria (d) B ® D ® A ® E ® C
(b) Strasburger in Lilium 85. The most common type of endosperm is :
(c) Strasburger in Fritillaria (a) Free-nuclear (b) Helobial
(d) Steward in Lilium and Fritillaria (c) Cellular (d) Non-nutritive
79. The total number of nuclei involved in double 86. The coconut water is ___________ and its surrounding
fertilization is : white kernel is ________ .
(a) Two (b) Six (a) Solid endosperm, liquid endosperm
(c) Five (d) Three (b) Liquid endosperm, solid endosperm
80. Which of the following is true ? (c) Solid endosperm, solid endosperm
(a) Emasculation is the removal of anthers from the (d) Liquid endosperm, liquid endosperm
flower bud of unisexual flowers 87. Among pea, castor, groundnut, beans and coconut
(b) Emasculation is performed before the anther which of these possess non-endospermic or
dehisces exalbuminous(N) seed and endospermic or
(c) Bagging is not important if artificial hybridisation albuminous (E) seeds ?
involves unisexual flowers (a) N = Pea, groundnut, beans; E = Castor, coconut
(d) Artificial pollination is always unsuccessful (b) N = Pea, castor; E = Coconut, beans, groundnut
(c) N = Groundnut, beans; E = Pea, castor, coconut
Endosperm, Embryo and Seed
(d) N = Pea, coconut; E = Groundnut, castor, beans
81. The endosperm is completely consumed by the
developing embryo in the seeds of :
(i) Wheat, maize barley, castor and sunflower seeds
(a) Maize and rice (b) Rice and castor
are endospermic or albuminous
(c) Castor and maize (d) Pea and beans
(ii) Most zygotes divide only after certain amount of
82. The father of Indian plant embryology is :
endosperm is formed
(a) M.S. Swaminathan (b) Ramdeo Misra
(iii) Though the seeds differ greatly, the early stages
(c) P. Maheshwari (d) Santapau of embryo development is similar in both
83. Which of the following is correct ? monocots and dicots
(a) The outer integument of ovule develops into testa (iv) The zygote divides to form proembryo and
(b) The inner integument of ovule develops into subsequently globular, heart-shaped and mature
tegmen embryo
(c) The large shield shaped cotyledon of monocot seed (v) Epicotyl and hypocotyl are absent in monocot
is called scutellum seeds
(d) More than one option is correct Which of the above statements are correct ?
84. Arrange A, B, C, D and E in the sequence of dicot (a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
embryo development from zygote stage. (b) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i), (iii) and (v)
(d) (iii), (iv) and (v)
89. Which of the following is correct for a seed ?
Suspensor
(a) Epicotyl terminates with plumule or stem tip
Radicle (b) Hypocotyl terminates with radicle or root tip
(c) Embryonal axis is called tigellum
B D (d) All of the above
Cotyledon 90. In monocot seeds, the radical and root cap is enclosed
E in an undifferentiated sheath called ___________ and
Plumule epicotyl with shoot apex and few leaf primordia is
A
C enclosed in a hollow foliar structure called ________ .
(a) Tigellum, integument 94. Choose the correct statement w.r.t. parthenocarpy :
(b) Integument, tigellum (a) Auxin and gibberellic acid is used to induce
(c) Coleorrhiza, coleoptile parthenocarpy
(d) Coleoptile, coleorrhiza (b) Banana is naturally parthenocarpic
91. Identify the structures marked as A, B, C, D in the (c) It is the formation of fruits without fertilization
diagrams of dicot and monocot seeds given below : (d) All of the above
95. Apomixis is a type of asexual reproduction which
Scutellum mimics sexual reproduction because :
(a) Seeds get formed without fertilization
Plumule
(b) Shoot gets formed without parthenogenesis
Coleoptile (c) Leaves are formed by radicle
A (d) Seeds are formed both by asexual and sexual
Shoot apex processes
Hypocotyl 96. Sporophytic budding/adventive polyembryony is
common in :
C
(a) Mango (b) Citrus
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) Banana
Radicle
Miscellaneous
B 97. Which of the following is correct ?
Radicle
Dicot seed (a) In pteridophytes, microsporangia develop to form
Root cap
pollen sacs
D (b) In gymnosperms, microsporangia develop to form
pollination drop
Monocot seed
(c) In angiosperms, microsporangia develop to form
(a) A = Cotyledons, B = Epiblast, C = Root cap, pollen sacs
D = Coleoptile (d) In gymnosperms, megasporophyll develops to
(b) A = Cotyledons, B = Root cap, C = Epiblast, form ovary
D = Coleorrhiza 98. Choose the wrong statement :
(c) A = Epiblast, B = Coleorrhiza, C = Coleoptile, (a) In angiosperms, a single microsporogenesis
D = Cotyledons involves one meiosis and two mitosis
(d) A = Cotyledons, B = Coleorrhiza, C = Root cap, (b) Each pollen grain produces two male gametes both
D = Epiblast in gymnosperm and angiosperm
92. The advantage(s) of seeds in angiosperms is/are : (c) Megagametogenesis is the process of formation of
(a) Can get dispersed to new areas ovum
(b) Seed coat provides protection to growing embryos (d) All of the above
(c) Generate new genetic recombination leading to 99. Which of the following is true for angiosperms ?
variation (a) Entomophily is least common among different
(d) All of the above types of pollination
(b) Two male gametes of a pollen are slightly unequal
Apomixis and Polyembryony in size and non-motile
93. The development of embryo directly from nucellus (c) Generative cell of the pollen divides only after
without involving embryo sac stage is called : pollination
(a) Adventive embryony or sporophytic budding (d) Tube cell/vegetative cell is smaller than generative
(b) Parthenocarpy cell
(c) Allogamy 100. In Zea mays 20 chromosomes are present in the cell of
(d) Autogamy shoot apex. The number of chromosomes in pollen
grain, nucellus, polar nucleus and aleurone layer cells fertilization, what will be the ploidy of embryo and
will be : endosperm respectively ?
(a) 7 n, 7 n (b) 7 n, 10n
Pollen Polar Aleurone
Nucellus (c) 10n, 7 n (d) 6n, 8n
grain nucleus layer
107. A female gymnospermic plant with the genotype TT
(a) 10 30 10 20
gets pollinated by another gymnosperm with the
(b) 20 10 10 30 genotype tt. As a result of fertilization what will be the
genotype of embryo and endosperm respectively ?
(c) 30 10 20 20
(a) Tt, T (b) Tt, TTt
(d) 10 20 10 30 (c) tt, Tt (d) TTt, Tt
101. The male and female inflorescence in maize is (i) Seed is the basis of our agriculture because of its
respectively called: dehydration and dormant nature
(a) Cob and tassle (b) Cob and cob (ii) The oldest viable seed reported is of Lupinus
(c) Tassle and tassle (d) Tassle and cob arcticus from Artic Tundra
102. In flowering plants, different stages of meiosis can be (iii) Orchid fruits contain thousands of tiny seeds, so
clearly studied in : do the parasitic species of Orabanche and Striga
(a) Mature anther (b) Megasporophyll (iv) Apomixis is common in Asteraceae and Poaceae
(c) Young anthers (d) Embryo (v) Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that
103. How many meiotic divisions are required for the mimics sexual reproduction
formation of 100 functional pollen grains and 100 Which of the above statements are correct?
functional megaspores respectively ? (a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(a) 25, 100 (b) 100, 25 (b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)
(c) 100, 100 (d) 25, 25
(c) (ii) only
104. Assured seed set will occur in :
(d) (v) only
(a) Rosa (b) Salvia 109. Strawberry is a type of false fruit as during fruit
(c) Commelina (d) Psidium formation :
105. A hexaploid ( 6n ) plant gets pollinated by an octaploid (a) Thalamus participates
( 8n ) plant. As a result of double fertilization, what will (b) Apocarpous ovary participates
be the ploidy of embryo and endosperm respectively?
(c) Ovary does not participates
(a) 10n, 7 n (b) 6n, 8n
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(c) 7 n, 10n (d) 8n, 6n
106. A hexaploid ( 6n ) Oenothera plant pollinates an
octaploid ( 8n ) Oenothera plant. As a result of double
Answers (Section-A)
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (d) 10. (d)
11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (d) 14. (a) 15. (c) 16. (d) 17. (c) 18. (c) 19. (a) 20. (d)
21. (c) 22. (d) 23. (c) 24. (a) 25. (d) 26. (b) 27. (d) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (b)
31. (c) 32. (c) 33. (a) 34. (d) 35. (a) 36. (d) 37. (b) 38. (a) 39. (c) 40. (b)
41. (a) 42. (d) 43. (c) 44. (a) 45. (c) 46. (b) 47. (d) 48. (d) 49. (d) 50. (a)
51. (c) 52. (c) 53. (b) 54. (b) 55. (b) 56. (a) 57. (d) 58. (b) 59. (c) 60. (d)
61. (a) 62. (a) 63. (a) 64. (d) 65. (d) 66. (a) 67. (d) 68. (a) 69. (b) 70. (c)
71. (a) 72. (c) 73. (c) 74. (b) 75. (d) 76. (d) 77. (c) 78. (a) 79. (c) 80. (b)
81. (d) 82. (c) 83. (d) 84. (d) 85. (a) 86. (b) 87. (a) 88. (a) 89. (d) 90. (c)
91. (b) 92. (d) 93. (a) 94. (d) 95. (a) 96. (c) 97. (c) 98. (a) 99. (b) 100. (d)
101. (d) 102. (c) 103. (a) 104. (c) 105. (c) 106. (a) 107. (a) 108. (b) 109. (d)
Section-B : Questions from NCERT Exemplar
1. Among the terms listed below, those that of are not (c) Embryo sac, nucellus, integument, egg
technically correct names for a floral whorl are : (d) Egg, integument, embryo sac, nucellus
(i) Androecium (ii) Carpel 9. From the statements given below choose the option
(iii) Corolla (iv) Sepal that are true for a typical female gametophyte of a
(a) (i) and (iv) (b) (iii) and (iv) flowering plant.
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (ii) (i) It is 8-nucleate and 7-celled at maturity
2. Embryo sac is to ovule as _________ is to an anther. (ii) It is free-nuclear during the development
(a) Stamen (b) Filament (iii) It is situated inside the integument but outside
(c) Pollen grain (d) Androecium nucellus
3. In a typical complete, bisexual and hypogynous flower (iv) It has an egg apparatus situated at the chalazal end
the arrangement of floral whorls on the thalamus from (a) (i) and (iv) (b) (ii) and (iii)
the outermost to the innermost is : (c) (i) and (ii) (d) (ii) and (iv)
(a) Calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium 10. Autogamy can occur in a chasmogamous flower if :
(b) Calyx, corolla, gynoecium and androecium (a) Pollen matures before maturity of ovule
(c) Gynoecium, androecium, corolla and calyx (b) Ovules mature before maturity of pollen
(d) Androecium, gynoecium, corolla and calyx (c) Both pollen and ovules mature simultaneously
4. A dicotyledonous plant bears flowers but never (d) Both anther and stigma are of equal lengths
produces fruits and seeds. The most probable cause for 11. Choose the correct statement from the following :
the above situation is : (a) Cleistogamous flowers always exhibit autogamy
(a) Plant is dioecious and bears only pistillate flowers (b) Chasmogamous flowers always exhibit
(b) Plant is dioecious and bears both pistillate and geitonogamy
staminate flowers (c) Cleistogamous flowers exhibit both autogamy
(c) Plant is monoecious geitonogamy.
(d) Plant is dioecious and bears only staminate flowers (d) Chasmogamous flowers never exhibit autogamy.
5. The outermost and innermost wall layers of 12. A particular species of plant repoduces light, non-sticky
microsporangium in an anther are respectively : pollen in large numbers and its stigmas are long and
(a) Endothecium and tapetum feathery. These modifications facilitate pollination by:
(b) Epidermis and endodermis (a) Insects
(c) Epidermis and middle layer (b) Water
(d) Epidermis and tapetum (c) Wind
6. During microsporogenesis, meiosis occurs in : (d) Animals
(a) Endothecium 13. From among the situations given below, choose the one
(b) Microspore mother cells that prevents both autogamy and geitonogamy.
(c) Microspore tetrads (a) Monoecious plant bearing unisexual flowers
(d) Pollen grains (b) Dioecious plant bearing only male or female
7. From among the sets of terms given below, identify flowers
those that are associated with the gynoecium. (c) Monoecious plant with bisexual flowers
(a) Stigma, ovule, embryo sac, placenta (d) Dioecious plant with bisexual flowers
(b) Thalamus, pistil, style, ovule 14. In a fertilised embryo sac, the haploid, diploid and
(c) Ovule, ovary, embryo sac, tapetum triploid structures are :
(d) Ovule, stamen, ovary, embryo sac (a) Synergid, zygote and primary endosperm nucleus
8. Starting from the innermost part, the correct sequence (b) Synergid, antipodal and polar nuclei
parts in an ovule are : (c) Antipodal, synergid and primary endosperm
(a) Egg, nucellus, embryo sac, integument nucleus
(b) Egg, embryo sac, nucellus, integument (d) Synergid, polar nuclei and zygote
15. In an embryo sac, the cells that degenerate after (a) Parthenocarpy
fertilisation are : (b) Apomixis
(a) Synergids are primary endosperm cell (c) Vegetative propagation
(b) Synergids and antipodals (d) Sexual reproduction
(c) Antipodals and primary endosperm cell 19. In a flower, the megaspore mother cell forms
(d) Egg and antipodals megaspores without undergoing meiosis and if one of
16. While planning for an artificial hybridization the megaspores develops into an embryo sac, its nuclei
programme involving dioecious plants, which of the would be :
following steps would not be relevant ? (a) Haploid
(a) Bagging of female flower (b) Diploid
(b) Dusting of pollen on stigma (c) A few haploid and a few diploid
(c) Emasculation (d) With varying ploidy
(d) Collection of pollen 20. The phenomenon wherein, the ovary develops into a
17. In the embryos of a typical dicot and a grass, true fruit without fertilization is called :
homologous structures are : (a) Parthenocarpy
(a) Coleorhiza and coleoptile (b) Apomixis
(b) Coleoptile and scutellum (c) Asexual reproduction
(c) Cotyledons and scutellum (d) Sexual reproduction
(d) Hypocotyl and radicle
18. The phenomenon observed in some plants wherein
parts of the sexual apparatus is used for forming
embryos without fertilization is called :
Answers (Section-B)
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (b) 16. (c) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (b) 20. (a)
Section-C : Assertion-Reason Type Questions

Instructions :
1. If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion then mark (a).
2. If both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion, then mark (b).
3. If assertion is true but reason is false, then mark (c).
4. If both assertion and reason are false statements then mark (d).
11. A: Agamospermy is the formation of seed without
1. A: The megaspore mother cell undergo mitosis to involving meiosis and fertilization.
produced four megaspores. R: It is common in grasses and sunflower family.
R: Megaspore mother cells and the megaspores are 12. A: Hydrophily is rare in aquatic plants.
both haploid. R: Hydrophytes mainly involve entomophily and
2. A: The two cotyledons in seed are the embryonic anemophily.
leaves. 13. A: Self incompatibility is genetically controlled.
R: The embryo contain radicle and plumule. R: Self incompatibility is under the control of multiple
3. A: Insects visits flowers to gather honey. alleles.
R: Attraction of flowers prevents the insects from 14. A: Both oospore and oosphere are diploid structure.
damaging other parts of the plant. R: Oospore and oosphere are involved in sexual
4. A: Nuclear endosperm is formed by subsequent reproduction.
nuclear divisions without wall formation initially. 15. A: Tapetum is polyploid.
R: Coconut is an example of such endosperm, where R: Tapetum surrounds the sporogenous tissue.
the endosperm remains nuclear throughout the 16. A: Parthenium or carrot grass causes pollen allergy.
development of the fruit. R: Parthenium came to India as a contaminant with
5. A: Protandry and protogyny ensures cross fertilization. imported wheat.
R: Cross-fertilization introduces variation in the 17. A: Insects are the most common biotic agents of
progenies. pollination.
6. A: Pollen mother cells represent the first male R: Among insects, bees are the most common
gametophyte. pollinating agents.
R: Each pollen mother cell give rise to two pollens. 18. A: The growth of pollen tube inside the stigma and
7. A: Commelina shows cleistogamy. style is chemotactic
R: This reduces chances of inbreeding. R: Mg 2+ is the chemotactic attractant.
8. A: In some species of Asteraceae and Poaceae, seeds 19. A: Apomixis (agamospermy) is a form of asexual
are formed without fertilization. reproduction that mimics sexual reproduction.
R: Formation of fruit without fertilization is called R: In apomixis (agamospermy) seeds are formed
parthenocarpy. without involving sexual reproduction.
9. A: The innermost layer of a microsporangium is 20. A: Development of seeds through apomixis help to
tapetum. maintain hybrid traits indefinitely.
R: Tapetum is nutritive which provides nourishment R: Apomictic seeds does not allow segregation of
to the megaspores. traits.
10. A: The tapetal cells are usually haploid.
R: Tapetal cells lack cytoplasm.
Answers (Section-C)
1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d)
11. (b) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (d) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (d) 19. (a) 20. (a)
Section-D : Brainstormer
1. How many gametes are involved in triple fusion? 7. Match the columns w.r.t. entry of pollen tube into an
(a) One (b) Two ovule :
(c) Three (d) Four
Column-I Column-II
2. A plant with the genotype Tt is cross-pollinated by a
plant with the genotype TT. What will be the genotype A. Porogamy (i) Through chalaza
of endosperm and embryo respectively? B. Aporogamy (ii) Through integuments
(a) TTT, TT (b) ttT, Tt C. Mesogamy (iii) Through funicle
(c) Either (a) or (b) (d) ttt, Tt D. Chalazogamy (iv) Through micropyle
3. In 60% of the angiosperms, pollens are released from
anther : (a) A = (iv), B = (i, ii), C = (ii), D = (i)
(a) When they are with two male gametes (b) A = (iv), B = (ii, iv),C = (ii), D = (iii)
(b) Where each pollen has undergone two mitosis (c) A = (i), B = (i, ii), C = (ii), D = (iv)
(c) Where each pollen has undergone first mitosis (d) A = (iv), B = (i, iv), C = (iii),D = (ii)
(d) When they are with two gametes at 2-celled stage 8. How many of the plants given below shows triple
4. An aposporous ovule can produce egg, antipodals and fusion?
primary endosperm nucleus with which of the
following ploidy respectively? Mangifera, Cycas, Litchi, Poa, Taraxacum, Helianthus,
(a) n, n, 3n (b) 2n, 2n, 3n Taxus, Pinus, Abies
(c) n, n, 5n (d) 2n, 2n, 5n
5. For a plant A, 2n = 80. It shows apospory. The (a) 4 (b) 5
gametophyte after fertilisation by a normal pollen of a (c) 3 (d) 9
different plant of the same species forms a new plant B. 9. Choose the incorrect statement w.r.t. artificial
What will be the number of chromosomes in the hybridisation.
microspore mother cell of the new plant B? (a) If female parent bears bisexual flowers, removal of
(a) 180 (b) 120 anther from bud before anther dehisces is
(c) 60 (d) 90 necessary
6. Read the following statements : (b) Emasculated flowers are covered with a bag
(i) The remains of second cotyledon can be seen in (c) If female parent bears unisexual flowers,
some grasses, called epiblast. emasculation should be done immediately
(ii) The endosperm of Oenothera is diploid. (d) Anthropophily is performed
(iii) Cashew nut is a false fruit. 10. Pollen-pistil interaction relates to :
(iv) Leeuwanhoek discovered polyembryony in (a) The landing of only compatible pollens on stigma
Citrus. (b) The landing of only incompatible pollens on stigma
(v) Apomictic embryos in a seed are clone (c) The universal rejection of non-self pollens
How many of the above statements are correct ? (d) The events from pollen landing on stigma until
(a) Two (b) Five pollen tube enters the ovule
(c) Three (d) One
Answers (Section-D)
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d)
Section-E : Latest Previous Years Questions
1. Aleurone layer is part of: 12. What is the direction of micropyle in anatropous ovule?
(a) Endosperm (b) Embryo (a) Upward (b) Downward
(c) Tegmen (d) Testa (c) Right (d) Left
2. Which of these is not essential for allogamy? 13. Which of the following pairs in angiosperms are diploid
(a) Self sterility (b) Dichogamy and triploid, respectively?
(c) Heterogamy (d)None of these (a) Secondary nucleus and endosperm
3. Stalk with which ovule remains attached to the (b) Microspore mother cell and egg cell
placenta is called: (c) Polar nucleus and secondary nucleus
(a) Funicle (b) Raphe (d) Endosperm and antipodal cells
(c) Hilum (d) Chalaza 14. Anthesis is a phenomenon which refers to:
4. Which one of the following represents an ovule, where (a) Reception of pollen by stigma
the embryo sac becomes horse-shoe shaped and the (b) Formation of pollen
funiculus and micropyle are close to each other? (c) Development of anther
(a) Amphitropous (b) Anatropous (d) Opening of flower bud
(c) Circinotropous (d) Atropous 15. Double fertilization is the process in plants that
5. Germination of pollen grain on the stigma is: includes:
(a) Autogamy (b) In vivo germination (a) Syngamy and triple fusion
(c) In vitro germination (d) In situ germination (b) Only triple fusion
6. Double fertilization results in the production of: (c) Development of antipodal cells
(a) Haploid nucleus (b) Diploid nucleus (d) None of the above
(c) Triploid nucleus (d) Tetraploid nucleus 16. Which statement is true for angiosperms?
7. Coffee plant has chromosome number of 2n in its (a) Microspore is the resultant of mitotic division
somatic cells. What is the chromosome number in the (b) Microspore is the 1st cell of gametophytic
edible part of coffee seed? generation
(a) n (b) 2n (c) Microspore is the resultant of double fertilization
(c) 3n (d) 4n (d) Microspore is the 1st cell of endosperm
8. Which one of the following is surrounded by a callose 17. In the monocotyledonous seeds, the endosperm is
wall ? separated from the embryo by a distinct layer known
(a) Male gamete (b) Egg as:
(c) Pollen grain (d) Microspore mother cell (a) Testa (b) Aleurone layer
9. Identify the wrong statements regarding (c) Tegmen (d) Scutellum
post-fertilization development : (e) Coleoptile
(a) The ovary wall develops into pericarp 18. Type of pollination in Commelina is:
(b) The outer integument of ovule develops into (a) Chasmogamy (b) Geitonogamy
tegmen (c) Xenogamy (d) Autogamy
(c) The fusion nucleus (triple nucleus) develops into 19. Male gamete in angiosperm is produced by:
endosperm
(a) Generative cell (b) Microspore cell
(d) The ovule develops into seed
(c) Vegetative cell (d) Tube cell
(e) The ovary develops into fruit
20. Cotyledons and testa respectively are edible parts in:
10. Raphe is:
(a) Cashewnut and Litchi
(a) Part of flower
(b) Groundnut and pomegranate
(b) Funicle attached to ovule
(c) Walnut and Tamarind
(c) Ridge formed by funiculus on ovule
(d) Frenchbean and Coconut
(d) Part of nucellus
21. Sporopollenin is chemically:
11. Male gamete in angiosperm is produced by:
(a) Fatty substance (b) Homopolysaccharides
(a) Generative cell (b) Microspore cell
(c) Proteins (d) Heteropolysaccharides
(c) Vegetative cell (d) Tube cell
22. Which of the following statements about sporopollenin (a) A and B are correct but C and D are wrong
is false? (b) A, B and D are correct but C is wrong
(a) Exine is made up of sporopollenin (c) B, C and D are correct but A is wrong
(b) Sporopollenin is most resistant organic material (d) Only A and D are correct but B and C are wrong
(c) Exine has apertures called germpores where 31. Ovule is attached to placenta of ovary wall by:
sporopollenin is present (a) Funicle (b) Hilum
(d) Sporopollenin can withstand high temperature and (c) Raphe (d) Chalaza
strong acids 32. Which of the following statements is wrong?
23. A typical dicotyledonous embryo consists of: (a) Pollen grains remain viable for several months
(a) Radicle only because their outer covering is made of
(b) Embryonal axis only sporopollenin
(c) Cotyledons only (b) No enzyme can degrade sporopollenin
(d) Radicle, embryonal axis and cotyledons (c) Pollen grains are well represented in fossil strata
24. In which of the following kinds of ovules, the embryo due to sporopollenin
sac is horse-shoe shaped? (d) Pollen wall has cavities containing proteins
(a) Hemitropous ovules 33. The nectar is produced in the flowers which are
pollinated by:
(b) Orthotropous ovules
(a) Wind (b) Water
(c) Amphitropous ovules
(c) Man (d) Insects
(d) Circinotropous ovules
34. In a flowering plant, the pollen tube first arrives in :
25. Apomictic embryos in Citrus arise from: (a) Egg (b) An antipodal cell
(a) Synergids (c) A synergid (d)Central cell
(b) Maternal sporophytic tissue 35. An organic substance that can withstand
(c) Antipodals environmental extremes and cannot be degraded by
(d) Egg cell any enzyme is :
26. Wind pollinated flowers are: (a) Cuticle (b) Sporopollenin
(a) Small, brightly coloured, producing large number (c) Lignin (d)Cellulose
of pollens 36. Both autogamy and geitonogamy are prevented in :
(b) Small, producing large number of pollen grains (a) Papaya (b) Cucumber
(c) Large, producing abundant nectar and pollens (c) Castor (d)Maize
(d) Small, producing nectar and dry pollens 37. What is the function of germ pore?
27. When pollens are transferred from anther of a flower to (a) Emergence of radicle
stigma of another flower of the same plant, pollination (b) Absorption of water for seed germination
is referred to as: (c) Initiation of pollen tube
(a) Geitonogamy (b) Allogamy (d) Release of male gametes
(c) Xenogamy (d) Siphonogamy 38. The development of sporophyte from gametophytic
28. Which of the following is pollinated by water? tissue without fusion of gametes is :
(a) Viola (b) Yucca (a) Apospory
(c) Oxalis (d) Zostera (b) Apogamy
29. In a bisexual flower, if androecium and gynoecium
(c) Apomixis
mature at different times, the phenomenon is known
as: (d) Parthenogenesis
(a) Dichogamy (b) Herkogamy 39. Fusion of dissimilar gametes is :
(c) Heterogamy (d) Monogamy (a) Allogamy (b) Dichogamy
30. Find out the correct option : (c) Autogamy (d) Fertilization
A. Tapetum nourishes the developing pollen grains. 40. What would be the number of chromosomes of the
B. Hilum represents the junction between ovule and aleurone cells of a plant with 42 chromosomes in its
funcile. root tip cells?
C. In aquatic angiosperms, such as water hyacinth (a) 21 (b) 42
and water lily, the pollination is by water. (c) 63 (d)84
D. The primary endosperm nucleus is 3n.
41. Which one of the following statements is wrong? (a) Sporogenous tissue is haploid
(a) When pollen is shed at two-celled stage, double (b) Endothecium produces the microspores
fertilization does not take place (c) Tapetum nourishes the developing pollen
(b) Vegetative cell is larger than generative cell (d) Hard outer layer of pollen is called intine
(c) Pollen grains in some plants remain viable for 51. Geitonogamy involves :
months (a) Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from a flower
(d) Intine is made up of cellulose and pectin of another plant belonging to a distant population
42. Plants with ovaries having only one or a few ovules, are (b) Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from another
generally pollinated by : flower of the same plant
(a) Bees (b) Butterflies (c) Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from the
(c) Birds (d)Wind same flower
43. The coconut water and the edible part of coconut are (d) Fertilization of a flower by the pollen from a flower
equivalent to : of another plant in the same population
(a) Endosperm (b) Endocarp 52. Function of filiform apparatus is to :
(c) Mesocarp (d)Embryo (a) Guide the entry of pollen tube
44. Even in absence of pollinating agents seed setting is (b) Recognize the suitable pollen at stigma
assured in : (c) Stimulate division of generative cell
(a) Commellina (b) Zostera (d) Produce nectar
(c) Salvia (d)Fig 53. Which one of the following statements is correct?
45. Megasporangium is equivalent to : (a) A sterile pistil is called a staminode
(a) Fruit (b) Nucellus (b) The seed in grasses is not endospermic
(c) Ovule (d) Embryo sac (c) Mango is a parthenocarpic fruit
46. Perisperm differs from endosperm in : (d) A proteinaceous aleurone layer is present in maize
(a) Having no reserve food grain
(b) Being a diploid tissue 54. Non-albuminous seed is produced in :
(c) Its formation by fusion of secondary nucleus with (a) Pea (b) Maize
several sperms (c) Castor (d)Wheat
(d) Being a haploid tissue 55. Pollen tablets are available in the market for :
47. Seed coat is not thin, membranous in : (a) Ex situ conservation
(a) Coconut (b) Groundnut (b) In vitro fertilization
(c) Gram (d) Maize
(c) Breeding programmes
48. Product of sexual reproduction generally generates :
(d) Supplementing food
(a) Prolonged dormancy
56. Pollination in water hyacinth and water lily is brought
(b) New genetic combination leading to variation
about by the agency of :
(c) Large biomass
(a) Birds (b) Bats
(d) Longer viability of seeds
(c) Water (d) Insect or wind
49. Advantage of cleistogamy is :
57. Which one of the following statement is not ture?
(a) More vigorous offspring
(a) Tapetum helps in the dehiscence of anther
(b) No dependence on pollinators
(b) Exine of pollen grains is made up of sporopollenin
(c) Vivipary
(c) Pollen grains of many species cause severe allergies
(d) Higher genetic variability
(d) Stored pollen in liquid nitrogen can be used in the
50. Which one of the following statements is correct?
crop breeding programmes
Answers (Section-E)
1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (b) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (a) 14. (d) 15. (a) 16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (d) 19. (a) 20. (b)
21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (d) 24. (c) 25. (b) 26. (b) 27. (a) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (b)
31. (a) 32. (a) 33. (d) 34. (c) 35. (b) 36. (a) 37. (c) 38. (b) 39. (d) 40. (c)
41. (a) 42. (d) 43. (a) 44. (a) 45. (c) 46. (b) 47. (a) 48. (b) 49. (b) 50. (c)
51. (b) 52. (a) 53. (d) 54. (a) 55. (d) 56. (d) 57. (a)
Hints
Section-A
5. (d) Microspores (pollens) of microspore tetrad 56. (a) Anthropophily is pollination by human beings
(pollen tetrad) possess haploid nucleus. The which is possible in almost all plants.
process of formation of pollen or microspores is 62. (a) Continued self-pollination results in inbreeding
called microsporogenesis and the process of depression which is the loss of vigour and vitality
formation of male gametes is called microgame- due to absence of variation.
togenesis. 65. (d) Options (a), (b) and (c) are correct.
7. (a) The mustard flower has tetradynamous condition 66. (a) Papaya is a dioecious plant.
with a total of six stamens. Each anther possess 79. (c) 2 nuclei of two male gametes + 2 polar nuclei of a
four microsporangia. Each pollen possess two central cell + 1 nucleus of an egg.
male gametes. 81. (d) Pea and beans have exalbuminous or non-endo-
Thus, according to the question, the total number spermic seeds.
of male gametes : 83. (d) Options (a), (b) and (c) are correct.
6 ´ 4 ´ 20 ´ 4 ´ 2 = 3840 98. (a) Microsporogenesis involves meiosis but not
8. (c) 4 ´ 4 ´ 2 = 32 mitosis. Mitosis is required in the generative cell to
Reduction division
14. (a) 1 PMC ¾¾¾¾¾¾® 4 pollens form two male gametes.
\ 20 PMC ¾® 20 ´ 4 = 80 pollens 100. (d) Pollen grain = n
23. (c) Megasporangium is represented by an ovule and Nucellus = 2n
not an ovary. Ovary is a part of carpel which is a Polar nucleus = n
type of megasporophyll. Cells of nucellus possess Aleurone layer = 3n
abundant food matter to nourish embryo sac. 102. (c) Mature anther cannot be taken as the cells would
21. (c) Each pea flower possess a total of 10 stamens have completed meiosis in these cells.
Meiosis
(diadelphous condition) and each anther possess 103. (a) 1 PMC ¾¾¾® 4 functional pollens
four microsporangia. Thus, according to the Meiosis
1 MeMC ¾¾¾® 4 Megaspores
question, the total number of pollens produced in (1 functional + 3degenerates)
a flower :
104. (c) Commelina has cleistogamous flowers.
10 ´ 4 ´ 20 ´ 4 = 3200
105. (c) Embryo = 4n + 3n = 7n
24. (a) Wheat, paddy and mango. (Male gamete) (Female gamete)
32. (c) A = Polar nuclei
Endosperm = 4n + 3n + 3n
C = Egg (Male gamete) (Polar nucleus) (Polar nucleus)
D = Synergids/Helper cells/Co-operative cells
= 10 n
34. (d) Chemotropic movement relates to growth
106. (a) In Oenothera, only one polar nucleus is formed in
movement due to chemical stimulus, e. g ., growth
the embryo sac. So,
of pollen tube towards embryo sac. Chemotactic
Embryo = 3n + 4n = 7n
movement relates to movement of locomotion due (Male gamete) (Female gamete)
to chemical stimulus, e. g ., movement of
Endosperm = 3n + 4n = 7n
antherozoids towards archegonia. (Male gamete) (Polar nucleus)
43. (c) Zea mays is a monoecious plant with separate
107. (a) In the concerned gymnosperm,
male and female flowers.
Embryo = t + T = Tt
47. (d) The number of ovules produced is less than the (Male gamete) (Female gamete)
pollens. Amongst insects, the most common
Endosperm = T (Gymnospermic endosperm is the
pollinator is bee.
haploid female gametophyte)
Section-B
1. (c) Technical terms for a floral whorl are calyx, 16. (c) Since, dioecious plants possess unisexual flowers.
corolla, androecium and gynoecium. 17. (c) The single cotyledon of grass is called scutellum.
9. (c) The female gametophyte, i. e., embryo sac is
present inside the nucellus, Nucellus is present
inside the integument.
Section-C
3. (d) Flowers do not have honey. Insects visit flower to 11. (b) Agamospermy or apomixis is common in Poaceae/
gather nectar or pollens. Graminae (grass family) and Asteraceae (sun
4. (c) Coconut possess both liquid (nuclear) and solid flower family).
(cellular) endosperm. 14. (d) Oospore is a type of zygote ( 2n ).
6. (d) The first male gametophyte in angiosperms is Oosphere is another name for egg ( n ).
pollen. 18. (d) The growth of pollen tube is chemotropic.
Section-D
1. (a) Two polar nuclei + one male gamete 4. (d) Egg = 2n, Antipodal = 2n
2. (a) PEN = 2n + 2n + n = 5n
TT × Tt 5. (b) Zygote = 80 + 40 = 120 chromosomes
\ MeMC = 120 chromosomes
8. (b) Triple fusion is found in angiosperms only
—Mangifera, Litchi, Poa, Taraxacum and
Helianthus.
Only (T) type (T) and (t)
of pollen or gametes type of
megaspores
or gametes
\ Endosperm genotype = TTT or ttT

Embryo genotype = TT or Tt

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760 NCERT Biology Booster

3. Different layers of a microsporangium:

2. Special properties of tapetum nucleus :

Note: During microsporogenesis, karyokinesis is followed

Comparison: 7. Pollen grains of many species cause severe allergies

Note: Types of ovules according to the orientation of ovule w.r.t. funicle :

Fig. 24.3 Parts of an ovule showing megasporogenesis

1st 2nd 3rd

Autogamy Geitonogamy Xenogamy or Allogamy

A bisexual flower of Different bisexual flowers of a Different flowers of different plants

Contrivances/Adaptations/ Facilitation for Self Pollination (Inbreeding devices)

Contrivances/Adaptation/Facilitation for Cross-pollination (Outbreeding Devices)

4. Biotic agents of pollination: Note:

Fig. 24.5 Nuclear endosperm development

Fig. 24.6 Cellular endosperm development

Micropylar end Suspensor

Hypobasal tier (4-cells)

(Globular stage) (Torpedo/Heart shape stage)

Fig. 24.7 Stages of embryogeny in dicot plants

Seed induced through the application of growth hormones

Section-A : Questions Based on NCERT Textbook

16. Which of the following is correct ?

(c) (i), (ii) and (v) Pollen-Pistil Interaction

(c) Both (a) and (b) (a) A ® C ® D ® B ® E

Section-B : Questions from NCERT Exemplar

Section-C : Assertion-Reason Type Questions

Section-E : Latest Previous Years Questions

\ Endosperm genotype = TTT or ttT

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