Gametogenesis
Biology: Cambridge International A Level, topic 16.1.2
Meiosis in Plants
In mammals, gametogenesis produces sperm and egg cells. In plants, gametogenesis produces pollen grains and embryo sacs.
Mammals
- Spermatogenesis produces sperm cells by meiosis. Spermatogenesis occurs in the testes of males.
- Oogenesis produces oocytes (egg cells) by meiosis. Oogenesis occurs in the ovaries of females.
- In fertilisation, the sperm and egg fuse in the uterus following sexual intercourse.
Plants
- Pollen is the male gamete of plants. Microspore cells divide by meiosis to produce haploid pollen cells. This occurs in the anther of the flower of a plant. The anther is part of the stamen.
- The embryo sac is the female gamete of plants. They are produced by meiosis in the ovule of the flower of a plant.
- In pollination, pollen attaches to the stigma of a flowering plant. The pollen is then delivered to the ovule where it can fuse with the embryo sac.
Test yourself on Gametogenesis
How many chromosomes would you expect to find in a human oocyte?
Where are pollen grains produced in a plant?