Question

In corn (Zea mays) (2n = 20), the number of chromosomes expected in the product of second karyokinesis following meiosis in the formation of an embryo sac will be :

• A. 10
• B. 20
• C. 30
• D. 40

Answer 1

The correct option is B 20

Each plant species has a unique chromosome number. Corn has 20 chromosomes, consisting of two sets with one set (10) from the pollen (tassel) and the other from the egg cell (ear).

Corn has diploid number of chromosomes. It is thus given as 2n = 20. The megaspore mother cell is a diploid cell, 2n = 20. Megaspore mother cell later undergoes meiosis to form microspores and then the pollen grains which are haploid in nature.

So, the correct answer is "20"