Fig. 6. Cytological analysis of pollen tube entry into feronia embryo
sacs. (A,B) Semi-thin sections stained with Toluidine Blue. (C-F) Transmission
electron micrographs of invaded feronia FG at 24 HAP. (A) The winding
PT (pt) is covered by the dark staining remains of the synergid cell (sc). (B)
PT invasion in mutant ovules is in most cases restricted to the synergid and
does not enter the central cell (cc). (C) The PT enters the synergid and
bifurcates (arrow) immediately after entry into the degenerated synergid
(dsy). The egg cell membrane (arrowheads) appears to be intact and the
secondary endosperm nucleus (sen) is present. (D) Adjacent but not successive
section of the same sample as shown in C at higher magnification. The PT
passes the filiform apparatus (fa) and enters the FG. Remains of the
degenerated synergid surround the entering PT. (E) Branching (arrow) of the PT
within the synergid. (F) The invading PT rearranges the micropylar area of the
embryo sac, but the egg cell membrane appears to be intact (arrowheads). Scale
bars: (A,B) 25 µm; (C-F) 5 µm.