Question

Describe the structure of female gametophyte of angiosperms.

Answer 1

1. In angiosperms, female gametophyte present in the ovule is haploid embryo-sac. Each embryo-sac contains egg apparatus, 3 antipodal cells, and 2 polar nuclei.
2. The Egg apparatus consists of the large central, haploid egg cells and two supporting haploid synergid cells. Synergid shows hair-like projections called filiform apparatus, which guide the pollen tube towards the egg.
3. Antipodal cells are a group of three cells present at the chalazal end.
4. The two haploid polar nuclei of large central cells fuse to form a diploid secondary nucleus or definitive nucleus, just prior to fertilization.