The functional megaspore referred to as :

Options

A. The megaspore that degenerates after formation.
B. The megaspore that only develops in female gametophyte .
C. The megaspore that undergoes reduction division.
D. The megaspore that is functionally inactive.

Answer

To solve the question regarding the functional megaspore, let's break down the information step by step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Megasporogenesis**:
- Megasporogenesis is the process through which megaspores are formed from megaspore mother cells (megasporangium).
- The megaspore mother cell is diploid (2n) and undergoes meiosis to produce four haploid (n) megaspores.

2. **Formation of Megaspores**:
- Out of the four megaspores produced, typically only one megaspore survives and is functional, while the other three degenerate.
- The functional megaspore is the one that will develop further.

3. **Development of Female Gametophyte**:
- The functional megaspore undergoes mitosis (not meiosis) to develop into the embryo sac, which is also known as the female gametophyte.
- This embryo sac is crucial for the reproduction process in plants as it contains the female gametes.

4. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Option 1**: "Megaspore that degenerates after formation" - Incorrect, as this refers to non-functional megaspores.
- **Option 2**: "Megaspore that only develops into female gametophyte" - Correct, as this describes the functional megaspore.
- **Option 3**: "Megaspore that undergoes reduction division" - Incorrect, as the functional megaspore undergoes mitosis, not meiosis.
- **Option 4**: "Megaspore that is functionally inactive" - Incorrect, as the functional megaspore is active in developing into the female gametophyte.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **Option 2**: "Megaspore that only develops into female gametophyte".