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What is the role of the synergid cells in the embryo sac?
AThey fuse with a sperm to form the endosperm
BThey guide the pollen tube for fertilisation
CThey develop into the seed coat after fusion
DThey divide to form the antipodal cell group
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. They guide the pollen tube for fertilisation
1. The two nuclei adjacent to the egg cell develop into the synergid cells.
2. They help guide the pollen tube for successful fertilisation, and disintegrate once it is complete.
3. Fusion with a sperm to form endosperm is the job of the central cell holding the fused polar nuclei.
4. The seed coat develops from the integument rather than from any cell of the embryo sac.
5. An embryo sac missing its synergids would still form a pollen tube, but the tube would not be guided towards the egg.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 32 "Plant Reproduction", section 32.1 Reproductive Development and Structure_
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