Question

Apogamous cells are
A. Haploid
B. Diploid
C. Polyploid
D. Triploid

Answer 1

Hint: Apogamy is the development of an embryo without fertilisation. It is the type of asexual reproduction which happens in some ferns.

Complete Answer:
Farlow in 1874 discovered apogamy in Ginkgo biloba plant. It refers to formation of sporophytes by the parthenogenesis of gametophytes. The haploid gametes are formed without forming gametophyte. It is an asexual mean of reproduction which does not involve the union of male and female gametes. It does not lead to any genetic variability.
In Apogamy, the embryo originates from the vegetative cells are the synergids. They develop from normal embryo sacs. It is haploid.

Significance of Apogamy:
- It leads to rapid development of purelines.
- It is helpful in conserving the superior genotypes.
- The maternal characteristics remain intact from generation of generation.
- Diploid means when the cell has two sets of chromosomes.
- Triploid means 3n. The presence of an extra set of chromosomes.
- Polyploid means when the cell has multiple sets of chromosomes.

Thus the correct answer is (A). Apogamous cells are haploid.

Additional Information: Apomixis is an asexual reproduction which occurs without fertilisation. It does not involve meiosis. In this the egg cells are produced by mitosis. It directly forms embryos without prior fertilisation. It is of two types’ apogamy and apospory.

Note: Apogamy is the most effective way of producing genetically similar plants. As it does not involve intermixing of genes, the faulty genes are passed on to generations.