Question

Differentiate between microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis.

Hint:

{Micro = Male (pollen), Mega = Female (ovule)} Remember: Anther → Microsporogenesis Ovule → Megasporogenesis

Answer 1

Concept: In flowering plants, spore formation is an important part of sexual reproduction. It occurs through meiosis and produces haploid spores that develop into male and female gametophytes. There are two types:

• Microsporogenesis (formation of microspores)
• Megasporogenesis (formation of megaspores)

Explanation: The differences between microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis are as follows: \begin{center} \begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|} \hline Feature & Microsporogenesis & Megasporogenesis
\hline Definition & Formation of microspores (pollen grains) & Formation of megaspores (embryo sac)
\hline Site & Occurs in anther (pollen sac) & Occurs in ovule (nucellus)
\hline Mother cell & Microspore mother cell (MMC) & Megaspore mother cell (MMC)
\hline Number of functional spores & Usually all four microspores are functional & Typically only one megaspore is functional
\hline Product formed & Male gametophyte (pollen grain) & Female gametophyte (embryo sac)
\hline \end{tabular} \end{center} Thus, microsporogenesis leads to the formation of male spores, while megasporogenesis leads to the formation of female spores in flowering plants.