Question

Starting with microspore mother cells, what is the least number of meiotic and mitotic divisions needed for the formation of $500$ male gametes in an angiosperm?

• A. $65$ and $500$
• B. $63$ and $252$
• C. $63$ and $500$
• D. $63$ and $504$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $63$ and $500$

• In angiosperms, one microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to form four microspores or pollen grains.
• Each pollen grain by undergoing two mitotic divisions produces two male gametes. 63 microspore mother cells undergo 63 meiotic divisions and form into 252 microspores or pollen grains.
• These 252 microspores undergo 504 mitotic divisions and form into 504 male gametes.

So, the correct option is ’63 and 500’.