Chapter 23, Problem 8A

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The benefits of female gametophyte development within a conifer cone.

Introduction:

A gametophyte is one of the phases in the plants and algae life cycle. It develops from a haploid spore and hence has only one set of chromosomes. Gametophyte is basically the sexual phase in plants and algae life cycle.

Explanation of Solution

There are four megaspores in a female cone. Only one megaspore undergoes mitosis to form female gametophyte. When female gametophyte gets fully developed, then it consists of 2-6 archegonia and number of cells. Each archegonium contains an egg. When pollen grain from the same specie land on the female reproductive part of the cone, then pollination occurs. Then, within a year, this pollen grain continues to develop.