Question

The generative cell of a two-celled pollen divides in the pollen tube but not in a three-celled pollen. Give reasons.

Answer 1

In a three-celled pollen, one of the cells is a vegetative cell which forms the tube cell, present at the tip of the tube. The remaining two cells are the male gametes and they are the actual participants in fertilization. Hence, inside the pollen tube, the generative cells divide rather than the vegetative cell. In 60% of the cases, the generative cell divides inside the pollen tube. In remaining case, the generative cell divides much before pollination and hence, no division takes place in the pollen tube.