Question

How many gametes can a pollen mother cell generate?
A. 4 gametes
B. 8 gametes
C. 1 gametes
D. 16 gametes

Answer 1

Hint: Ovules are produced in the ovary of the carpel, while the pollen is produced in the anthers of the stamen. In the anther, pollen mother cells undergo meiosis and form pollen grains.

Complete answer:
In the anther, Microsporogenesis is the process which involves the meiotic division of the pollen mother cells, each producing four microspores. i.e., in the process of male gamete formation, a pollen mother cell undergoes meiosis to form a set of four microspores. These microspores then undergo mitosis to form micro gametophytes or pollen grains. At maturity, it consists of only three cells, two non-motile sperm cells and the tube cell. Each of the pollen grain is encased in a wall which is a thick protective sporopollenin and it dries to a desiccated state for dispersal. The microgametophyte in many species is mature only after pollen germination.
Thus, a pollen mother cell generates four gametes.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Additional information:
On the female side, development of the megagametophyte precedes slightly different in different angiosperm lineages. Ovules in the ovary are attached to an internal wall by placenta tissue. The megasporocyte present within the ovule nucellus divides by meiosis forming four haploid cells; only one of them will survive. To form female gametophyte, the embryo sac, the nucleus of this megaspore divides mitotically.

Note: The microspores generated during meiosis are usually enclosed in callose. The enzymes released from the tapetal cells cause dissolution of the callose, dispersing the individual 1N microspores. These microspores undergo a programmed pattern of division after their size is increased.