Question

The mature embryo sac is described as monosporic and of the Polygonum type. What does the term monosporic indicate about the origin of the embryo sac?

Options

• It develops from all four megaspores produced during meiosis

• It develops from multiple spore-like structures

• It develops from a single functional megaspore after meiosis

• It develops from the megaspore mother cell without meiosis

Answer 1

The term monosporic indicates that the mature embryo sac develops from a single functional megaspore. During megasporogenesis, the megaspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to produce four megaspores, but typically only one (the functional megaspore) survives and develops into the female gametophyte through successive mitotic divisions, while the other three degenerate.