Question

Which among the following show true polyembryony?
1. Opuntia
2. Mangifera
3. Saxifraga
4. Bergenia

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 1 and 2 only
• D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer 1

The correct option is C 1 and 2 only

The occurrence of more than one embryo in a seed is referred to as polyembryony. True polyembryony happens when embryos are produced within the embryo sac or by the dividing nucellus cells projecting inside the embryo sac e.g. Opuntia, Mangifera, etc.
False polyembryony involves fusion of two or more nucelli (plural for nucellus) or development of two or more embryo sacs within the same nucellus. Saxifraga & Bergenia show false polyembryony. The embryo develops from separate embryo sacs present in the same ovule. the formation of extra embryo sacs may take place from different megaspore mother cells (Saxifraga & Bergenia), another megaspore derived from the same megaspore mother cell, etc.