From the statements given below, choose the option that are true for a typical femal gametophyte of a flowering plant.
(i) It is 8-nucleate and 7-celled at maturity.
(ii) It is free-nuclear during the development.
(iii) It is situated inside the integument but outside the nucellus.
(iv) It has an egg apparatus situated at the chalazal end.

Options

A. i and iv
B. ii and iii
C. i and ii
D. ii and iv

Answer

C

Explanation

Statement (i) and (ii) are correct regarding female gametophyte of flowering plant. The female gametophyte or embryo sac is located inside the nucleus, enclosed within the integuments. In a majority of flowering plants, one of the megaspore is functional while the other three degenerates. Three repeated mitotic divisions of the functional megaspore results in the formation of seven-celled or eight nucleate embryo sac. Six of the eight nuclei are organised at the two poles. Three cells grouped at micropylar end forms egg apparatus and 3 at the chalazal end form antipodal cells. The large central cell at the centre has two polar nuclei. The meiotic divisions in the formation of embryo sac are strictly free nuclear, that is nuclear divisions are not followed immediately by cell-wall formation. Gametophyte is situated at micropylar end not at chalazal end.