Question

An apomictic seed contains an embryo that is:
A. Produced when two sperm fertilise one egg.
B. Developed from one egg alone.
C. The result of parental self - fertilisation.
D. Genetically identical to its parent.

Answer 1

Hint: By using a kind of reproduction that excludes processes like meiosis and gamete fusion, apomixis is thought of as a replacement for sexual reproduction. Apomixis is similar to asexual reproduction, which means it will produce progeny similar to the parents.

Step by step solution:
In rare cases, normal sexual gametes are not involved in the reproduction of plants; instead, a type of asexual reproduction known as apomixis produces progeny. Apomictic plants are the ones in which this happens. Some citrus trees, grasses, and other plants are apomictic instances. Wrinkler coined the term "apomixis" in 1908. He claims that it is the replacement of true sexual reproduction in plants with a different form of reproduction that excludes meiosis and syngamy. The two basic types of apomixis are:

• • Vegetative reproduction- It is an asexual plant reproduction mechanism in which a portion of the plant body separates from the parent plant and grows into a new, independent individual. Rhizome, corm, suckers, and other forms of vegetative reproduction are a few examples.

• Agamospermy- These plants still use their seeds for reproduction, but they don't go through the typical meiosis and syngamy processes. Agamospermy is exemplified by adventive embryony.

So, basically, the apomictic seeds contain an embryo genetically identical to its parent as it can be considered as an analogy to asexual reproduction.

So, option D is correct.

Note: The two main methods of vegetative reproduction are natural and artificial. While it happens naturally through the roots, stems, and leaves of the plant, it also happens artificially through similar techniques like cutting, bud grafting, layering, and stem grafting. Diplospory, adventive embryony, and apospory are all components of agamospermy.