Reproduction in Lower and Higher Plants — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

The oospore undergoes a transverse division to form a large basal cell towards the micropyle and a small apical or terminal cell towards the chalaza of the embryo sac. This two celled structure is called proembryo. The basal cell or suspensor initial undergoes repeated transverse divisions to form a multicellular structure called suspensor. The suspensor pushes the embryo towards the endosperm to draw its nutrition.

1. The development of embryo from a zygote is called embryogenesis.
2. The fusion of male gamete and an egg cell during fertilization results in the formation of a diploid zygote. The zygote develops a wall around it and is converted into oospore.
3. The apical cell or embryonal initial of the proembryo undergoes a transverse division followed by two vertical divisions at right angles to form an octant stage.
4. From octant, the lower four cells form hypocotyl and radicle while four cells of upper side form plumule with two cotyledons.
5. The lowermost cell of suspensor is hypophysis and by its further division forms part of radicle and root cap.
6. The cells from upper side of octant divide repeatedly to form heart shaped which elongated further to form two lateral cotyledons.
7. Enlargement of hypocotyl and cotyledon results into curved embryo which appears horse shoe shaped.