Question

How many male gametes are produced by pollen grains?

Answer 1

Male gametes produced by pollen grains

1. In flowering plants, a single pollen particle produces two male gametes.
2. At the two-celled stage, pollen grains are discharged from pollen-sacs, where the generative cell divides further to generate two male gametes.
3. The embryos are subsequently discharged into the sac.
4. They combine with female gametes to produce an embryo (egg) and endosperm (central cells).
5. The pollen tube grows up through the style and stigma and towards the ovules in the ovaries once pollination is complete.
6. The germ cells divide in pollen grains.
7. Two sperm cells are released, which travel along the pollen tube.
8. A single meiosis produces four pollen grains.
9. Two male gametes are produced by each pollen grain.
10. As a result, meiosis produces eight male gametes in total.