At what stage does the diploid zygote form?

a. When the female cone begins to bud from the tree

b. When the sperm nucleus and the egg nucleus fuse

c. When the seeds drop from the tree

Data in Figure 14.19

Transcribed Image Text:

Sporophyte (2n) (mature tree) Seeds (2n) 1 Seeds are dispersed and grow into mature trees Female cones grow in the upper branches where they may be fertilized by pollen blown on the wind from the male cones. Generative (sperm) nuclei (1n) Male cones grow in the lower branches. Pollen Pollen Ovule tube grain id Tube nucleus Scale Megaspore (in) A pollen tube forms, allowing the pollen to migrate toward the female gametophyte. Upon fertilization, a diploid zygote forms.