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Question #45352
The Question
In angiosperms, endosperm development strictly precedes embryo development to provide assured nutrition. Suppose a severe environmental stress causes the premature degeneration of the Primary Endosperm Nucleus (PEN) immediately following double fertilization. Which of the following statements regarding the subsequent developmental cascade is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The zygote will remain dormant and eventually abort due to the failure of nutrient mobilization from the endosperm.
- B.
The synergids and antipodal cells will undergo rapid endoreduplication to form a substitute nutritive tissue for the starving zygote.
- C.
The collapse of this sexual reproductive cycle may evolutionarily favor apomictic pathways, such as adventive embryony from diploid nucellar cells.
- D.
The strict metabolic dependency between the products of syngamy and triple fusion is disrupted, leading to the failure of viable seed formation.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Megaspore_Mother_Cell|Functional_Megaspore|Endosperm_Development
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: The post-fertilization fate of the 8-nucleate embryo sac components.
Students often fall for the 'Common Half-Truth' trap by assuming surviving embryo sac cells (synergids/antipodals) can adaptively rescue a starving zygote, forgetting the strict NCERT fact that these cells obligately degenerate post-fertilization.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Human Reproduction - Class 12 |
| Concept | Meiotic Arrest Points |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |