Question

Describe the development of the male gametophyte from the microspore mother cell to the production of sperm.

Answer 1

Formation of the male gametophyte in flowering plants takes place within specialized male reproductive organs called the stamens. During microsporogenesis, diploid pollen mother cells undergo meiotic division to produce tetrads of haploid microspores. This stage is completed when distinct unicellular microspores are released from the tetrad by the activity of a mixture of enzymes secreted by the tapetum, the inner nutritive layer of the stamen. This results into production of the sperm cell.