I N T R O D U C T I O N


The life cycle of an angiosperm

1 The anthers of the flower produce 2 microspores that form 3 male gametophytes (pollen). 4 The ovules produce megaspores that form 5 female gametophytes (embryo sacs) within ovules. 6 Pollination brings the gametophytes together in the ovary. 7 Fertilization occurs, and 8 zygotes develop into sporophyte embryos that are packaged along with food into seeds. When a seed germinates, embryo grows and develops into a sporophyte (Campbell et al, 1999).

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