Chapter 1 Solutions — Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Chapter-end Exercises

1. 1.
   Name the parts of an angiosperm flower in which development of male and female gametophyte take place.
2. 2.
   Differentiate between microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis. Which type of cell division occurs during these events? Name the structures formed at the end of these two events.
3. 3.
   Arrange the following terms in the correct developmental sequence: Pollen grain, sporogenous tissue, microspore tetrad, pollen mother cell, male gametes.
4. 4.
   With a neat, labelled diagram, describe the parts of a typical angiosperm ovule.
5. 5.
   What is meant by monosporic development of female gametophyte?
6. 6.
   With a neat diagram explain the 7-celled, 8-nucleate nature of the female gametophyte.
7. 7.
   What are chasmogamous flowers? Can cross-pollination occur in cleistogamous flowers? Give reasons for your answer.
8. 8.
   Mention two strategies evolved to prevent self-pollination in flowers.
9. 9.
   What is self-incompatibility? Why does self-pollination not lead to seed formation in self-incompatible species?
10. 10.
    What is bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding programme?
11. 11.
    What is triple fusion? Where and how does it take place? Name the nuclei involved in triple fusion.
12. 12.
    Why do you think the zygote is dormant for sometime in a fertilised ovule?
13. 13.
    Differentiate between:

    • (a) hypocotyl and epicotyl;
    • (b) coleoptile and coleorrhiza;
    • (c) integument and testa;
    • (d) perisperm and pericarp.
14. 14.
    Why is apple called a false fruit? Which part(s) of the flower forms the fruit?
15. 15.
    What is meant by emasculation? When and why does a plant breeder employ this technique?
16. 16.
    If one can induce parthenocarpy through the application of growth substances, which fruits would you select to induce parthenocarpy and why?
17. 17.
    Explain the role of tapetum in the formation of pollen-grain wall.
18. 18.
    What is apomixis and what is its importance?