Question

Even after killing the generative cell with a laser beam, the pollen grain of flowering plant germinates and produces normal pollen tube because

• A. Laser beam stimulates pollen germination and pollen tube growth.
• B. The laser beam does not damage the region from which pollen tube emerges.
• C. The contents of killed generative cell permit germination and pollen tube growth.
• D. The vegetative cell has not been damaged.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The vegetative cell has not been damaged.

During microspore formation, cellular differentiation occurs and generative and vegetative cells are formed. The generative cell produces two sperm cells whereas the vegetative cell produces the pollen tube which helps to deliver the male gametes to the embryo sac. Therefore, if a laser beam kills the generative cell, it will not affect the normal pollen tube formation.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.