I keep getting “Double fertilisation” questions wrong in Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants. What's the trap?
thinking only one fusion happens, as in animals.
The usual trap: thinking only one fusion happens, as in animals. How to avoid it: two fusions: one makes the embryo, one makes its food (endosperm). Go back to the definition — unique to flowering plants — one male gamete fuses with the egg (forming the zygote) and the other with the polar nuclei (forming the nutritive endosperm).
Key point
Double fertilisation
Common mistake
thinking only one fusion happens, as in animals.
Memory tip
two fusions: one makes the embryo, one makes its food (endosperm).
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