If the endosperm of an angiospermic plant contains 36 chromosomes, what will be the number of chromosomes in its antipodal cell and megaspore mother cell (MMC) respectively?

Step-by-step solution

In angiosperms, the endosperm is a triploid ( 3n ) structure formed as a result of triple fusion. Given the chromosome number of the endosperm ( 3n ) = 36 . Therefore, the haploid chromosome number ( n ) = 36 3 = 12 . Antipodal cells are haploid ( n ) structures located at the chalazal end of the embryo sac. Thus, an antipodal cell will have 12 chromosomes. The megaspore mother cell (MMC) is a diploid ( 2n ) cell that undergoes meiosis to form megaspores. Thus, the MMC will have 2 12 = 24 chromosomes. The correct s