Plant embryoge

Process that produces a plant embryo from a fertilised ovule by asymmetric cell division and the differentiation of undifferentiated cells into tissues. Single-celled zygote undergoes a programmed pattern of cell division resulting in a mature embryo Occurs naturally as a result of sexual fertilization and the formation of the zygotic embryos. Divided up into two phases, the first involves morphogenetic events & second phase, or postembryonic development, involves the maturation of cells.

seed formation and germination

flower

Nectar

FLOWERING PLANT LIFE CYCLE

Divided into Haploid & Diploid generations. Haploid generation begins after meiosis with spores that undergo mitosis & differentiate into either a pollen grain or an embryo sac. Diploid generation begins after fertilisation with the zygote & forms the mature plant with vegetative organs.

FERTILIZATION
sperm cell (n) + egg cell (n) ZYGOTE (2n) EMBRYO TRIPLE FUSION: sperm cell (n) + polar nuclei (2n) ENDOSPERM NUCLEUS (3n)

TWO FERTILISATION EVENTS OCCUR IN FLOWERING PLANTS

One sperm unites with the egg cell to form zygote & initiate embryogenesis. Second unites with a specialised cell within the embryo sac to initiate the differentiation of endosperm which is a triploid tissue. Endosperm is present during seed development & provide nutrient to the embryo, the germintaing seedling or both. Fertilisation also causes the ovule to develop into a seed & ovary to differentiate into fruit.

Embryo Development
Zygote (within the embryo sac) First Division Upper cell Proembryo Lower cell Basal cell of the Suspensor

Mass of cells Suspensor Stalk (surrounded by endosperm) Suspends embryo into endosperm

Proembryo, divided into 3 layers Protoderm ---> Surface Tissues Procambium ---> Vascular Tissues Ground Meristem ---> Ground Tissues
The embryo takes on the shape of an axis with meristems at both ends

PRIMARY ORGAN SYSTEMS IN A MATURE EMBRYO

The AXIS & the COTYLENDON Both are composed of 3 tissue layers protoderm, procambium & ground meristem. These will develop in epidermal, vascular & parenchyma tissue of the young seedling. Axis region contain the root & the shoot meristem. Cotylendon is terminally differentiated organ that accumulates food reserves that are utilised by the seedling for growth.

EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT
The first division of the zygote produces a small proembryo cell and a larger basal cell that develops the stalked suspensor, which elevates the developing Proembryo into the endosperm tissue. The embryo meristems are the apical shoot meristem and the apical root meristem, from which structures of the shoot system and root system will ultimately develop. The cotyledons rapidly elongate, and the embryo is divided into regions, with respect to the cotyledons. The region above the attachment of the cotyledons is the epicotyl, which contains the apical shoot meristem The region below the attachment of the cotyledons is the hypocotyl that ends with the rradicle, containing the apical root meristem. Typically the embryonic axis will have to fold, to fit within the embryo sac Endosperm may or may not be absorbed into the cotyledons. It may be consumed completely in the maturation of the embryo, or some may remain for germination.

EMBRYOGENESIS IN HIGHER PLANT THEREFORE SERVES.

To specify meristem & root-shoot plant body pattern. To differentiate the primary plant tissue types. To generate a specialised storage organ essential for seed germination. To enable the sporophyte to lie dormant until the conditions are favourable for postembryonic development.