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Megasporogenesis

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Estimated time: 10 minutes
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Megasporogenesis

Development of the megaspore within the ovule (megasporangium) is known as megasporogenesis.

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Megasporogenesis

Megasporogenesis is the process of formation of haploid (n) megaspores from a diploid (2n) Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC) by meiosis, within the nucellus of the ovule.

The Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC):

  • A single hypodermal cell of the nucellus, at the micropylar region, differentiates into the archesporial cell.
  • The archesporial cell may divide to produce an outer parietal cell and an inner sporogenous cell. The sporogenous cell functions as the Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC).
  • Alternatively, the archesporial cell may directly function as the MMC.

Identifying features of the MMC:

Feature Description
Size Large cell; conspicuously bigger than surrounding nucellus cells
Cytoplasm Dense cytoplasm
Nucleus Prominent nucleus
Ploidy Diploid (2n)
Location Micropylar region of the nucellus

Meiotic Division of the MMC:

The MMC undergoes meiosis (reduction division), consisting of two successive divisions:

Meiosis I (Reductional Division)

The diploid MMC (2n) divides to produce two haploid (n) cells → called a dyad

Meiosis II (Equational Division)

Each cell of the dyad divides again

Result: Four haploid (n) megaspores arranged in a linear tetrad

(a) Parts of the ovule showing a large megaspore mother cell, a dyad and a tetrad of megaspores; (b) 2, 4, and 8-nucleate stages of embryo sac and a mature embryo sac; (c) A diagrammatic representation of the mature embryo sac

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12

Key Points: Megasporogenesis

  • Megasporogenesis is the process of formation of megaspores from a diploid megaspore mother cell (MMC) in the ovule.
  • It occurs inside the nucellus of the ovule, usually near the micropylar region.
  • The MMC undergoes meiosis to form four haploid megaspores arranged in a linear tetrad.
  • Out of the four megaspores, three degenerate, and only one functional megaspore remains.
  • The functional megaspore undergoes three mitotic divisions to form an 8-nucleate, 7-celled embryo sac (female gametophyte).
  • The embryo sac contains one egg cell, two synergids, three antipodal cells, and one central cell with two polar nuclei.
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