Abstract
Life cycle of plants is fundamentally different from that of animals. It is characterized by the presence of two distinct multicellular generations, referred as sporophytic (diploid) and gametophytic (haploid) generation which alternate with each other during the life cycle. Male and female reproductive organs in plants are stamens (androecium) and carpels (gynoecium), respectively. Both the reproductive structures produce haploid spores as a result of meiosis, namely, microspores (male) and megaspores (female). These spores undergo repeated mitotic divisions to produce male and female gametophytes, called as microgametophyte and megagametophyte, respectively. Development of male gametophyte takes place inside the anther, whereas female gametophyte develops inside the ovule. Upon maturity male and female gametophytes divide mitotically to produce male and female gametes, i.e., sperm and egg, which fuse to form zygote that develops to give rise to sporophytic plant (Fig. 26.1).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Suggested Further Readings
Angelovici R, Galili G, Fernie AR, Fait A (2010) Seed desiccation: a bridge between maturation and germination. Trends Plant Sci 15(4):211–219
Hafidh S, Fíla J, Honys D (2016) Male gametophyte development and function in angiosperms: a general concept. Plant Reprod 29(1–2):31–51
Rea AC, Nasrallah JB (2004) Self-incompatibility systems: barriers to self-fertilization in flowering plants. Int J Dev Biol 52(5–6):627–636
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Multiple-Choice Questions
Multiple-Choice Questions
-
1.
The term “xenogamy” refers to:
-
(a)
Transfer of pollen on the stigma surface of the same flower
-
(b)
Transfer of pollen on the stigma surface of another flower present on the same plant
-
(c)
Transfer of pollen on the stigma surface of flower present on the different plant
-
(d)
Fusion of male gamete with the egg in the pistil present on the different plant
-
(a)
-
2.
Which of the following type of stigma surface has not been characterized in flowering plants?
-
(a)
Dry type
-
(b)
Wet type
-
(c)
Semidry type
-
(d)
Semi-wet type
-
(a)
-
3.
The most common type of embryo sac development observed in angiosperm species is:
-
(a)
Oenothera type
-
(b)
Plumbago type
-
(c)
Plumbagella type
-
(d)
Polygonum type
-
(a)
-
4.
Which of the following statements is incorrect in context of pollen hydration and subsequent germination?
-
(a)
Influx of Ca2+ into vegetative cells.
-
(b)
Concentration of free cytosolic Ca2+ [Ca2+ cyt] increases below germ pore region after pollen hydration.
-
(c)
Accumulation of actin microfilaments and secretory vesicles takes place below germ pore area prior to pollen tube emergence.
-
(d)
Following pollen germination, the elongation of pollen tube occurs by lateral growth.
-
(a)
-
5.
The directional growth of pollen tube in pistil is not regulated by:
-
(a)
Plantacyanins secreted by the cells which line the transmitting tissue
-
(b)
Stigma/style cysteine-rich adhesin (SCA) secreted by the transmitting tissue
-
(c)
Cysteine-rich proteins (CRPs) derived from the transmitting tissue
-
(d)
Extracellular matrix (ECM) of the transmitting tissue
-
(a)
-
6.
Which of the following is not a pre-zygotic barrier to self-fertilization?
-
(a)
Syngamy
-
(b)
Dichogamy
-
(c)
Herkogamy
-
(d)
Heterostyly
-
(a)
-
7.
Which of the following mechanism is incorrect in context of SI mechanisms?
-
(a)
In sporophytic SI (SSI) systems, the rejection of self-pollen takes place on stigma surface due to interaction between S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus cysteine rich (SCR) protein.
-
(b)
In some species exhibiting SSI, the programmed cell death of the pollen tubes takes place after penetration into stigma surface.
-
(c)
In some species exhibiting gametophytic SI (GSI), the programmed cell death of the pollen tubes takes place after penetration into stigma surface.
-
(d)
In some species exhibiting GSI, bursting of pollen tubes at the upper region of style due to responses mediated by stylar S-locus ribonucleases (S-RNases).
-
(a)
-
8.
The most common type of endosperm development observed in angiosperms is:
-
(a)
Nuclear endosperm type
-
(b)
Cellular endosperm type
-
(c)
Helobial endosperm type
-
(d)
Ruminate endosperm type
-
(a)
-
9.
Mutation in Dek1 gene results in:
-
(a)
Mosaic aleurone due to failure of endosperm to differentiate aleurone
-
(b)
Formation of multiple layers of aleurone
-
(c)
Seeds without aleurone layers
-
(d)
Single layer of aleurone
-
(a)
-
10.
Which of the following species have recalcitrant seeds?
-
(a)
Hamelia patens
-
(e)
Mangifera indica
-
(f)
Lantana camara
-
(g)
Capsicum annuum
-
(a)
Answers
1. c | 2. d | 3. b | 4. d | 5. c | 6. a | 7. b |
8. a | 9. c | 10. b |
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shakya, R., Bhatla, S.C. (2018). Pollination, Fertilization and Seed Development. In: Plant Physiology, Development and Metabolism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2023-1_26
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2023-1_26
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2022-4
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2023-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)