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How many meiotic and mitotic divisions need to occur for the development of a mature female gametophyte from the megaspore mother cell in an angiosperm plant?
A
2 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis
B
1 Meiosis and 2 Mitosis
C
1 Meiosis and 3 Mitosis
D
No Meiosis and 2 Mitosis
Explanation
1 meiosis forms 4 megaspores (1 functional survives); 3 sequential free-nuclear mitotic divisions form the 8-nucleate embryo sac.
Detailed Solution
From 1 diploid Megaspore Mother Cell (MMC): 1 meiotic division produces a linear tetrad of 4 haploid megaspores. Three degenerate, leaving 1 functional megaspore. This functional megaspore undergoes 3 consecutive mitotic nuclear divisions to form an 8-nucleate, 7-celled mature female gametophyte (monosporic development).