megagametogenesis

Term ID

GO:0009561

Synonyms

• embryo sac development from the megaspore
• megagametophyte nucleus division

Definition

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the embryo sac over time, from its formation as the megaspore to the mature structure. The process begins when three of the four haploid megaspores disintegrate, and the fourth undergoes mitosis giving rise to a binucleate syncytial embryo sac. The two haploid nuclei migrate to the opposite poles of the embryo sac and then undergo two rounds of mitosis generating four haploid nuclei at each pole. One nucleus from each set of four migrates to the center of the cell. Cellularization occurs, resulting in an eight-nucleate seven-celled structure. This structure contains two synergid cells and an egg cell at the micropylar end, and three antipodal cells at the other end. A binucleate endosperm mother cell is formed at the center.

References

• Wikipedia:Megagametogenesis

Ontology

GO: Biological Process    QuickGO    AmiGO