Question

Assertion :Pollen mother cells (PMCs) are the first male gametophytic cells. Reason: Each PMC gives rise to four pollens.

• A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
• C. Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.
• D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.

Each microsporangium has two parts, the outer wall and inner homogenous sporogenous tissue. The inner sporogenous tissue of each microsporangium differentiates into pollen mother cell or first undergoes mitotic divisions to increase the cell number. The sporogenous cells are diploid and have two complete sets of chromosomes. These diploid cells undergo meiosis to produce four haploid microspores that remain suspended in central of each microsporangium. Hence, reason is correct statement. A mature microspore is termed as pollen. Pollen grain is the first cell of immature male gametophyte that precociously develops into mature male gametophyte through microgametogensis. Mitotic division in pollen protoplast produces two cells namely small generative cell and large tube/vegetative cell. Pollen with small generative and large vegetative or with one vegetative cell and two male gametes is known as mature male gametophyte. This makes assertion incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.