Question

Draw a well labelled diagram of sectional view of male gametophyte/microspore of an angiosperm and write the functions of any two parts labelled. (Any four labels).

Answer 1

Sectional view of male gametophyte

Functions:

1. Exine: A tough outer covering of pollen grains that can withstand harsh circumstances such as high temperatures, strong acids, and alkalines. It shelters the pollen and protects it during pollination.
2. Intine: A fragile inner layer of cellulose and pectin that forms a thin, continuous covering. The intine promotes the formation of a pollen tube necessary for fertilisation.
3. Vegetative cell: A vegetative cell is a more giant pollen grain component that contains enough food reserves for pollen germination and tube production during fertilisation.
4. Generative cell: The pollen grain component that divides mitotically to produce two male gametes required for fertilisation.