Refer to the figure, which shows the life cycle of an angiosperm. If double fertilization were delayed in this plant, the appearance of which two critical structures shown in the diagram would be also delayed?

Question

Refer to the figure, which shows the life cycle of an angiosperm.  If double fertilization were delayed in this plant, the appearance of which two critical structures shown in the diagram would be also delayed?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Double fertilization is the process by which one sperm fertilizes the egg cell to form the zygote (which develops into the embryo) and the other sperm fuses with the polar nuclei to form the endosperm. Delaying double fertilization would delay the formation of both the embryo and the endosperm. Therefore, the appearance of critical structures corresponding to these two would also be delayed. The other structures (integument, micropyle, and pollen tube) are not directly related to double fertilization and would not be affected by its delay.

Refer to the Figure, Which Shows the Life Cycle of an Angiosperm