If the meiocyte of a black pepper plant contains 24 chromosomes, what will be the respective number of chromosomes in the cells of its perisperm and endosperm?

Step-by-step solution

The meiocyte is a diploid cell ( 2n ), so 2n = 24 . This means the haploid chromosome number is n = 12 . The perisperm is the persistent remnant of the nucellus. Since the nucellus is a maternal sporophytic tissue, its cells are diploid ( 2n ). Therefore, the number of chromosomes in the cells of the perisperm is 24 . The endosperm in angiosperms develops from the primary endosperm nucleus formed by triple fusion, making it a triploid tissue ( 3n ). Therefore, the number of chromosomes in the endosperm is 3 12 = 36