The development of the embryo sac of sunflower Helianthus annuus before fertilization

Abstract

The megaspore mother cell of sunflower Helianthus annuus L. undergoes two meiotic divisions to form a linear tetrad of haploid megaspores. The chalazal megaspore increases in size while the other megaspores and the nucellus degenerate such that the integumentary tapetum is adjacent to the embryo sac. Mitotic divisions occur forming the coenocytic two- and four-nucleate embryo sacs and the seven- or eight-nucleate six-celled embryo sac. Electron-microscopic observations suggest that the antipodals are very active synthetically but start degenerating before fertilization. Similarly the synergids are also apparently very active synthetically before fertilization as judged by the presence of extensive regions of dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and many Golgi bodies and associated vesicles. The egg cell is characterized by the presence of many free ribosomes and small undifferentiated plastids. The central cell contains many circular strands of rough endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets, and large clusters of apparently active Golgi; it is a transfer cell resulting from the presence of embryo sac wall ingrowths. The development and the possible nutritional interrelationships of the megagametophyte and surrounding tissues are discussed.