Question

The number of meiotic divisions required to produce 400 seeds in a pea plant is

• A. 400
• B. 500
• C. 600
• D. 800

Answer 1

The correct option is B 500

During sexual reproduction in angiosperms, meiosis occurs in microspore and megaspore mother cells. For the formation of 400 seeds in the pea plant, we require 400 male and 400 female gametes.

In one meiotic division, one microspore mother cell in the anther forms 4 microspores, each of which develops as a pollen grain. For the production of 400 male gametes, the number of meiotic division is 400/4= 100.

In one meiotic division, one megaspore mother cell produces one female gamete (4 produce, 3 degenerated). For the production of 400 female gametes, the number of meiotic division is 400.

So, the total number of meiotic divisions are 100+400=500.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.