During the development of a typical angiosperm embryo sac, the mitotic divisions are strictly free nuclear up to the 8 -nucleate stage. Following this, cell walls are laid down. Out of the eight nuclei, how many are surrounded by cell walls and organized into cells, and how many nuclei are situated in the large central cell, respectively?

Step-by-step solution

After the 8 -nucleate stage, cell walls are laid down leading to the organization of the typical female gametophyte or embryo sac. According to NCERT, six of the eight nuclei are surrounded by cell walls and organized into cells. Three of these form the egg apparatus at the micropylar end, and three form the antipodals at the chalazal end. The remaining two nuclei, called polar nuclei, are situated below the egg apparatus in the large central cell. Thus, 6 nuclei are surrounded by cell walls and 2 nuclei remain in