Question

When synergids and antipodals make the embryo, it is

• A. Apospory
• B. Apomixis
• C. Amphimixis
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Apomixis

Antipodals and synergids are the part of female gametophyte/embryo sac that develops from meiosis in megaspore mother cell, i.e., gametogenesis. Reproduction by special sporophytic or gametophytic generative tissues without fertilisation (fusion of male and female gamete) and an embryo is developed from gametophytic tissues (antipodals/synergids) without fertilisation. This process is called as apomixis. Whereas apospory is a type of recurrent apomixis wherein diploid embryo sac is developed from diploid nucellar cells without gametogenesis and fertilisation, amphimixis is the union of two opposite gametes during sexual reproduction to form a diploid zygote and embryo formation by antipodal/synergids do not involve the act of fertilisation.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.