Question

A male branch of funaria has ten antheridia and produced a sum total of 1400 spermatozoids. What is the number of androcyte mother cells in each antheridium assuming each of the antheridia has the same number of androcytes?

• A. 70
• B. 340
• C. 960
• D. 16

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

70

There are 10 antheridia and 1400 spematozoids, It is mentioned that each antheridia has same number of androcytes/spermatozoids. So, in 1 antheridia, there are 1400/10 = 140 spermatozoids.
Each mature antheridium has a jacketed body. Inside the jacket, a mass of androcyte mother cells are present, each of which divides diagonally into two androcytes/spermatozoids. As 1 mother cell divides into 2. So, 140 spermatozoids are a result of 140/2 = 70 androcyte mother cells.
Thus, the correct answer is option (A).