The male gametophyte of Capsella contains three cells or nuclei.
The male gametophyte of Capsella, also known as the pollen grain, undergoes several stages of development before it is fully mature and capable of fertilizing the female gametophyte. During this process, the male gametophyte undergoes mitosis to produce several cells or nuclei.
Here is a breakdown of the different cells or nuclei present in the male gametophyte of Capsella:
1. Generative cell: The generative cell is one of the cells present in the mature male gametophyte. It is responsible for the production of two sperm cells through mitosis. These sperm cells will later be involved in fertilization.
2. Tube cell: The tube cell is another cell present in the mature male gametophyte. It plays a crucial role in the process of fertilization. The tube cell elongates and forms the pollen tube, which serves as a conduit for the sperm cells to reach the female gametophyte.
3. Ventral cell: The ventral cell is a central cell present in the mature male gametophyte. It is involved in the formation of the endosperm, which provides nourishment to the developing embryo after fertilization.
Therefore, the male gametophyte of Capsella contains three cells or nuclei - the generative cell, tube cell, and ventral cell. These cells are essential for the successful fertilization and development of the plant embryo.