What is Fertilization in Plants? Process, Types & NEET Important Points

Fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. In flowering plants, it is a unique process known as double fertilization.

What is Fertilization?

Fertilization is the process of fusion of male gamete (sperm) with the female gamete (egg) to form a diploid zygote.

Process of Fertilization in Angiosperms

1. Pollen grain germinates on the stigma and forms a pollen tube.
2. Pollen tube grows through the style and reaches the ovule.
3. It enters the embryo sac through the micropyle.
4. Two male gametes are released.
5. One male gamete fuses with the egg → Zygote (2n)
6. Other male gamete fuses with polar nuclei → Primary Endosperm Nucleus (3n)

Types of Fertilization

• Syngamy – Fusion of male gamete with egg cell
• Triple Fusion – Fusion of male gamete with two polar nuclei
• Double Fertilization – Syngamy + Triple Fusion (unique to angiosperms)

NEET Important Points

• Double fertilization was discovered by Nawaschin (1898).
• Zygote develops into embryo.
• Primary endosperm nucleus develops into endosperm (nutritive tissue).
• Endosperm is usually triploid (3n).

This topic is extremely important for NEET – revise it thoroughly!