Egg Nucleus
* Fertilization: The egg nucleus is fertilized by one of the sperm nuclei from the pollen tube. This creates a zygote, the first cell of the new plant embryo.
* Development: The zygote undergoes repeated cell divisions, eventually forming the embryo with its roots, stem, and leaves.
Endosperm Nucleus
* Fertilization: The other sperm nucleus from the pollen tube fuses with the two polar nuclei in the central cell of the embryo sac. This creates a triploid endosperm nucleus (3n).
* Development: The endosperm nucleus undergoes rapid divisions, forming the endosperm, a nutrient-rich tissue that provides nourishment to the developing embryo.
In Summary
* Double fertilization is unique to flowering plants. It involves two fusion events within the embryo sac:
* One sperm fertilizes the egg (forming the zygote, the future embryo).
* The other sperm fertilizes the central cell (forming the endosperm, a nutrient supply).
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