​The following statements describe the developmental processes during different modes of reproduction in angiosperms:

A. In double fertilization, one sperm fuses with the egg and the other with the central cell to form the zygote and endosperm, respectively.

B. In sporophytic apomixis, a diploid cell gives rise to the next generation, thereby maintaining the maternal genotype.

C. In gametophytic apomixis, a reduced egg cell forms an apomictic embryo through parthenogenesis.

D. In pseudogamy, the functional endosperm is formed without fertilization.

Which one of the following represents the combinations of CORRECT statements?

Correct option is A

​Explanation:

Statement A :Correct (Double Fertilization)

Double fertilization in angiosperms involves one sperm fertilizing the egg to form the zygote, while the second sperm fertilizes the central cell to form the triploid endosperm.

Statement B: Correct(Sporophytic Apomixis)

• Sporophytic apomixis (also called adventitious embryony) occurs when a diploid somatic cell in the ovule (e.g., nucellus or integuments) directly develops into an embryo.
• This results in a clone of the mother plant since there is no genetic recombination.

Statement C: Incorrect (Gametophytic Apomixis)

In gametophytic apomixis, the embryo originates from an unreduced egg cell, not a reduced egg cell.

Statement D: Incorrect(Pseudogamy Definition is Wrong)

• Pseudogamy refers to cases where fertilization is required for endosperm formation, even if the embryo itself develops apomictically.
• Correction: In pseudogamy, the endosperm forms after fertilization, not without fertilization.

Information Booster:

Double Fertilization -Found only in angiosperms, absent in gymnosperms. Ensures coordinated embryo and endosperm development for seed viability.

Sporophytic Apomixis-Also called adventitious embryony, occurs in Citrus, Mango, Opuntia. Embryo arises from nucellus or integument cells, bypassing gametophyte formation.

Gametophytic Apomixis -Includes diplospory (from megaspore mother cell, MMC) and apospory (from nucellar cells) Produces maternal clones, helping maintain desirable traits in plant breeding.

Example: Taraxacum (Dandelion), Poa (Grass), Hieracium (Hawkweed).

Pseudogamy -Fertilization is required for endosperm activation, but not for embryo formation .Common in grasses and Rosaceae plants (e.g., blackberries, apples).