Question

In an angiosperm, how many cells are present in the male and female gametophyte, respectively?

• A. 3, 7
• B. 3, 8
• C. 2, 7
• D. 2, 8

Answer 1

The correct option is A 3, 7

Male gametophyte in angiosperms is represented by the pollen grain and it consists of a single vegetative cell and a generative cell. The generative cell undergoes mitosis to produce two cells. So, there are three cells in the male gametophyte.

Female gametophyte in angiosperms is the embryo sac and is present inside the ovule. One megaspore (n) undergoes mitosis for three times with only nuclear division and without cytoplasmic division. This produces eight nucleus. Cells are formed around these nucleus. Three antipodal cells, one egg cell, two synergids and two polar nuclei are present in the embryo sac. The two polar nuclei are present inside a central cell. Hence, there are seven cells and eight nuclei in the female gametophyte.