Double Fertilization and Triple Fusion
Double Fertilization is a complex mechanism of the flowering plants(angiosperms). After entering one of the synergids, each pollen grain releases two male gametes. One male gamete fuse with an egg (syngamy) and the other male gamete fuse with polar nuclei (triple fusion) to produce triploid Primary Nucleus Endosperm (PEN). Since two types of fusion take place in an embryo sac the phenomenon is called Double fertilization. The Primary Nucleus Cell (PEC) develops into the endosperm and the zygote develops into an embryo.
Structure of a Flower
The flower is considered a compressed shoot in which sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels are successive lateral organs. The essential organs of the flower are stamens(microsporophylls), which make up the androecium, and carpels or pistils(megasporophylls), which together make up the gynoecium. The androecium consists of one or more stamens, the male reproductive structure of a flower. The gynoecium is the female reproductive structure of a flower.
Difference between Double Fertilization and Triple Fusion
| Double Fertilization | Triple Fusion |
| The process of double fertilization takes place in angiosperms | Triple fusion is the fertilization of two polar nuclei in the embryo sac with a single sperm cell |
| It is the fusion of the embryo sac with two sperm cells. | It is one of the two fertilizations of double fertilization. |
| It leads to the formation of a diploid zygote. | It leads to the formation of the endosperm. |
| It produces a diploid zygote and the triploid endosperm. | It produces a triploid endosperm. |
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