Introduction

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants ensures genetic variation, evolution, and propagation of species. NEET often tests pollination, fertilization, embryo development, endosperm formation, and seed structure. Understanding these processes is essential for scoring well in NEET Biology.

Flowering plants (angiosperms) reproduce sexually via flowers, gametes, pollination, and fertilization, resulting in seeds and fruits.

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1. Flower: Reproductive Structure

Definition:

• Flower is the reproductive organ of angiosperms designed for sexual reproduction.

Key Parts:

1. Male reproductive organ (Stamen) → Anther + Filament → Produces pollen grains (male gametes)

2. Female reproductive organ (Carpel / Pistil) → Ovary + Style + Stigma → Contains ovules (female gametes)

3. Accessory parts: Petals and sepals (attract pollinators, protect reproductive organs)

NEET Tip:

• Stamen → Microsporogenesis

• Ovule → Megasporogenesis

2. Pollination

Definition:

• Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma of a flower.

Types:

1. Self-pollination → Same flower or same plant

2. Cross-pollination → Between different plants

• Agents: Wind (anemophily), water (hydrophily), insects (entomophily), animals

NEET Tip:

• Cross-pollination → Promotes genetic variation

• Self-pollination → Maintains pure lines

3. Fertilization

Definition:

• Fusion of male gamete (sperm) with female gamete (egg) to form zygote.

Steps:

1. Pollen germination on stigma → Pollen tube grows through style

2. Double fertilization:

   • One male gamete fuses with egg cell → Zygote → Embryo

   • Another male gamete fuses with two polar nuclei → Triploid endosperm (3n)

NEET Formula:

• Male gamete (n) + Egg cell (n) → Zygote (2n)

• Male gamete (n) + 2 polar nuclei (n + n) → Endosperm (3n)

Significance:

• Zygote → Embryo → Seed

• Endosperm → Nutritive tissue for embryo

4. Structure and Types of Ovules

• Ovule contains megaspore mother cell → megaspore → embryo sac

• Types based on:

  • Funiculus position: Orthotropous, Anatropous, Campylotropous, Amphiotropous

  • Chalaza and micropyle orientation

NEET Tip:

• Micropyle → Entry of pollen tube

5. Embryo Development

Stages:

1. Zygote formation → Single-celled zygote

2. Proembryo → First few divisions (apical and basal cells)

3. Globular stage → Spherical cell mass

4. Heart stage → Formation of cotyledons in dicots

5. Torpedo stage → Embryo elongation

NEET Tip:

• Apical cell → Shoot

• Basal cell → Suspensor

6. Endosperm Formation

• Formed by fusion of second male gamete with two polar nuclei → Triploid (3n)

• Provides food reserves for embryo

• Types:

  • Nuclear → Free-nuclear division before cell wall formation

  • Cellular → Cell wall formed after each division

  • Helobial → Combination of nuclear and cellular

NEET Tip:

• Monocots → Endosperm persists (e.g., Maize, Wheat)

• Dicots → Endosperm consumed by cotyledons (e.g., Bean)

7. Seed and Fruit Formation

Seed Structure:

1. Seed coat (testa) → Protective layer

2. Embryo → Cotyledons, radicle, plumule

3. Endosperm → Nutrient storage

Fruit Formation:

• Ovary develops into fruit after fertilization

• Functions: Protect seed, aid dispersal

NEET Tip:

• Simple fruit → From single ovary

• Aggregate fruit → From multiple carpels of one flower

• Multiple fruit → From inflorescence

8. Apomixis and Polyembryony

Apomixis:

• Asexual seed formation without fertilization

• Example: Citrus, Mango

Polyembryony:

• Multiple embryos in a single seed

• Causes: Fertilization of multiple egg cells or nucellar cells → True polyembryony

NEET Tip:

• Apomixis → Clonal seeds

• Polyembryony → Important for horticulture

9. NEET Important Formulas / Memory Aids

1. Zygote: n + n → 2n

2. Endosperm: n + n + n → 3n

3. Seed formation: Zygote → Embryo → Seed

4. Fruit formation: Ovary + Fertilization → Fruit

5. Gametophyte formula:

   • Male → Microspore → 2–celled pollen grain

   • Female → Megaspore → 7-celled embryo sac

Mnemonic for Double Fertilization:
“One male + Egg → Zygote, One male + 2 polar nuclei → Endosperm”

10. NEET Exam Tips

• Draw diagrams of flower structure, pollen tube, embryo sac, zygote, and endosperm

• Remember difference between monocot and dicot embryos

• Focus on apomixis, polyembryony, and fruit types

• Use formulas for numerical MCQs on chromosome number and ploidy

Conclusion

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants is a high-yield topic in NEET Biology. Mastery of pollination, fertilization, embryo development, endosperm formation, and seed/fruit development is essential for scoring in MCQs and diagram-based questions.

With this StudentBro.in guide, students can efficiently revise sexual reproduction formulas, stages, and types, enhancing speed and accuracy during NEET exams.

Remember: Linking gamete → fertilization → zygote → embryo → seed → fruit is the key to mastering Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants for NEET.