CBSE 2025, Compartment, Set 1

Question

How many meiotic divisions will a wheat plant undergo in order to produce 100 zygotes/100 grains? Calculate and give explanation.

Edvaya · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Subjective. **SOLUTION** A total of **125 meiotic divisions** are required to produce 100 zygotes. **Explanation and Calculation:** A zygote is formed by the fertilization of one male gamete (from a pollen grain) and one female gamete (egg cell inside an ovule). Thus, to produce 100 zygotes, we need 100 pollen grains and 100 ovules. 1. **For Female Gametes (Ovules):** Each Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC) undergoes one meiotic division to produce four megaspores. However, in most angiosperms (monosporic development), three degenerate and only one remains functional to develop into an embryo sac/ovule. Therefore, to produce 100 ovules, **100 meiotic divisions** are required. 2. **For Male Gametes (Pollen Grains):** Each Microspore Mother Cell undergoes one meiotic division to produce a tetrad containing four functional microspores, which develop into 4 pollen grains. Therefore, to produce 100 pollen grains, we need $\frac{100}{4} =$ **25 meiotic divisions**. **Total Meiotic Divisions** = $100 + 25 = 125$.

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Biology > Reproduction And Genetics > Sexual Reproduction In Flowering Plants

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