Number of meiotic divisions required to produce 400 seeds of pea would be

Options

A. 400
B. 800
C. 600
D. 500

Answer

To determine the number of meiotic divisions required to produce 400 seeds of pea, we can break down the process step by step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Process of Seed Formation**:
- Seed formation in flowering plants involves fertilization, which is the fusion of male and female gametes.
- Each seed is formed from one male gamete and one female gamete.

2. **Calculating Male Gametes**:
- To produce 400 seeds, we need 400 male gametes.
- Each meiotic division in the microsporangia produces 4 pollen grains (which are the male gametes).
- Therefore, to find the number of meiotic divisions required for male gametes, we use the formula:
\[ \text{Number of meiotic divisions for male gametes} = \frac{\text{Number of male gametes}}{4} \]
- Substituting the values:
\[ \text{Number of meiotic divisions for male gametes} = \frac{400}{4} = 100 \]

3. **Calculating Female Gametes**:
- Similarly, to produce 400 seeds, we also need 400 female gametes.
- Each meiotic division in the ovule produces 1 female gamete from one egg cell.
- Therefore, the number of meiotic divisions required for female gametes is:
\[ \text{Number of meiotic divisions for female gametes} = 400 \]

4. **Total Meiotic Divisions Required**:
- Now, we add the meiotic divisions required for both male and female gametes:
\[ \text{Total meiotic divisions} = \text{Meiotic divisions for male gametes} + \text{Meiotic divisions for female gametes} \]
- Substituting the values:
\[ \text{Total meiotic divisions} = 100 + 400 = 500 \]

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the total number of meiotic divisions required to produce 400 seeds of pea is **500**.

### Final Answer:
The number of meiotic divisions required to produce 400 seeds of pea is **500**.

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