Many zygotes were adjacent to a persistent synergid with filiform apparatus. |
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Most globular pro-embryos were located at the micropylar end between the central cell with unfused neighboring polar nuclei and intact synergid cells. |
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The female gametophyte corresponds to the embryo sac and covers an egg cell, a central cell, two synergid cells, and several antipodal cells. |
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Previous research suggested synergid cells, which hug the embryo sac, direct the tubes once they approach the ovary. |
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In the new study, the researchers surveyed more than 2,000 genes on synergid cells to identify which molecules lured pollen tubes to the embryo sac. |
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