Question

What is the total number of haploid nuclei present in the 8-nucleate stage of the developing female gametophyte before cell walls are formed?

Options

• 2 haploid nuclei

• 8 haploid nuclei

• 16 haploid nuclei

• 4 haploid nuclei

Answer 1

In the 8-nucleate stage of the developing female gametophyte, all eight nuclei present are haploid (n). They arise from successive mitotic divisions of the original haploid functional megaspore nucleus, and since mitosis maintains the ploidy level, all daughter nuclei remain haploid before the formation of the central cell.