If a leaf cell of an angiospermic plant contains 24 chromosomes, what will be the respective number of chromosomes in its male gamete, zygote, and primary endosperm cell?

Step-by-step solution

The leaf cell of an angiospermic plant is a somatic cell and is diploid ( 2n ). Given 2n = 24 , the haploid chromosome number is n = 12 . The male gamete is haploid ( n ), so it contains 12 chromosomes. The zygote is formed by the fusion of a male gamete ( n ) and an egg cell ( n ), making it diploid ( 2n ). Thus, it contains 24 chromosomes. The primary endosperm cell in angiosperms is formed by triple fusion (one male gamete with two polar nuclei), making it triploid ( 3n ). Thus, it contains 3 12 = 36 chromosomes