Question

(a) When a seed of an orange is squeezed, many embryos, instead of one are observed. Explain how it is possible.

(b) Are these embryos genetically similar or different? Comment. [5]

Answer 1

(a) Orange has polyembryonic seeds. The nucellar cells surrounding the embryo sac starts dividing and protrudes into the embryo sac and develops into many embryos. That is why, when a seed of an orange is squeezed, many embryos, instead of one are observed. [3]

(b) Yes, these embryos are genetically similar with parental characters. They are produced from nucellar cells by mitotic division. So, they are genetically similar. [2]