Embryo sacs of some apomictic species appear normal but contain diploid cells. Suggest a suitable explanation for the condition.

Apomixis

Apomixis is an asexual reproduction that forms seed without fertilisation and produce a maternal clone in plants.

Embryo sacs of some apomictic species appear normal but contain diploid cells.

Embryo sacs of some apomictic species appear normal but contain diploid cells because of the following reasons:-

• Nucellus of the ovule is diploid and directly develops into a diploid embryo.
• Megaspore mother cells are diploid. Sometimes instead of meiosis they undergo mitosis to produce diploid cells. Hence all the cells of the embryo sac are diploid. When the diploid egg cells divide through mitosis, a diploid embryo is formed.