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# Plant Reproduction: Male Gametophyte Development **Three antipodal cells (function unknown)** **One large central cell (containing 2 polar nuclei)** The mature embryo sac contains eight nuclei within seven cells. The ovule, if fertilized, becomes a seed, consisting of the embryo sac, megaspora...

# Plant Reproduction: Male Gametophyte Development **Three antipodal cells (function unknown)** **One large central cell (containing 2 polar nuclei)** The mature embryo sac contains eight nuclei within seven cells. The ovule, if fertilized, becomes a seed, consisting of the embryo sac, megasporangium, and two integuments. ## Development of Male Gametophyte (in pollen grains) ### Formation in Anthers: Each anther develops four microsporangia (pollen sacs). Microsporocytes (diploid cells within the microsporangia) undergo meiosis, producing four haploid microspores. ### Microspore Development: Each microspore undergoes mitosis to form a haploid male gametophyte consisting of two cells: a generative cell and a tube cell. Together with the spore wall, these two cells form a pollen grain. The spore wall, produced by both the microspore and the anther, often has a unique species-specific pattern.