Question

If the cells in the leaves of a maize plant contain 10 chromosomes each, write the number of chromosomes in its endosperm and zygote. Name and explain the process by which an endosperm and a zygote are formed in maize.

Answer 1

1. Endosperm (3n): There would be 10 × 3 = 30 chromosomes in the endosperm of a corn plant if each cell in the leaves has 10 × 2 chromosomes.
2. Zygote (2n): It's possible for the zygote to have 20 chromosomes since each cell in the corn plant's leaves has 10 chromosomes.
   A process called "double fertilisation" creates an endosperm and a zygote in corn. In the egg sac, two sperm cells from the pollen grain with two different nuclei join together. A diploid zygote is made when one sperm cell fertilises an egg cell, and a triploid endosperm nucleus is made when the other sperm cell joins with two polar nuclei.