Question

In a dithecous anther, each pollen sac contains 1000 MMC. What is the total number of pollen grain produced by the anther?

• A. 4,000
• B. 8,000
• C. 16, 000
• D. 32, 000

Answer 1

The correct option is A 4,000

Dithecous anther is the anther with two lobes. Two anther lobes contain 4 pollen sacs in which pollen grains are produced. Pollen grains develop from the diploid microspore mother cells in pollen sacs of anthers. Each microspore mother cell divides to form 4 microspores of which 3 degenerate and one forms the pollen grain. So, two anther lobes have 4 pollen sacs each containing 4 microspore mother cell and each MMC forming 1 pollen grain. So, in one dithecous anther, 4 pollen grains are formed. So, from 1000 MMC, we will get 4000 pollen grains. So, the correct answer is option A.