Male and Female Gametophytes of an Angiosperm:
The following are the points of difference between Male and Female Gametophytes of an Angiosperm-
Male Gametophyte | Female Gametophyte |
---|---|
It is developed from microspore or pollen grain. | It is developed from a megaspore. |
It does not remain permanently embedded inside the microsporangium. | The female gametophyte remains permanently embedded in the megasporangium or nucellus. |
There are two phases of growth, pre-pollination and post-pollination. | All the cells are formed in a single phase of growth. |
Generally, the microspores are shed at maturity and transferred from anthers to the stigma by the process called pollination. | The megaspores are not shed from the ovules. |
Male gametes come out of pollen grain due to the formation of the pollen tube. | Female gamete always remains inside and covered by a membrane of megasporangium. |
The mature male gametophyte is 3-celled (a vegetative tube cell and two male gametes). | The mature female gametophyte is 7-celled (an egg, two synergids, three antipodals and a central cell). |
All the cells of the male gametophyte are functional. The tube cell is required to carry the two male gametes, both of which take part in fertilization. | All the 7 cells are not functional. Antipodal cells may or may not in absorption of nourishment. Out of the two synergids, one is playing the role to receive the pollen tube. |
It will disintegrate after fertilization. | After fertilization, two new structures are produced both of which show active growth. |
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