The key difference between double fertilization and triple fusion is that double fertilization produces seeds and fruits while triple fusion results in the endosperm, which nourishes the developing embryo.
Double fertilization is a special trait of flowering plants. It takes place during the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. Two separate nuclear fusions take place inside the female gametophyte, which is known as embryo sac. One sperm nucleus fuses with the egg cell and produces a zygote. The other sperm nucleus fuses with two polar nuclei. Triple fusion is the fusion of a sperm nucleus with two polar nuclei in order to produce a triploid endosperm. Therefore, triple fusion is one of the two components of double fertilization, and it occurs during double fertilization.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Double Fertilization
3. What is Triple Fusion
4. Similarities Between Double Fertilization and Triple Fusion
5. Side by Side Comparison – Double Fertilization vs Triple Fusion in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Double Fertilization?
Double fertilization is a complex sexual reproduction method of angiosperms (flowering plants). Double fertilization takes place inside the female gametophyte (embryo sac) of angiosperms. Two fertilization events take place in double fertilization. During double fertilization, one sperm nucleus fuses with the egg cell (syngamy) and produces a diploid zygote while another sperm nucleus fuses with two polar nuclei of the large central cell and produces a triploid which develops into an endosperm.
Figure 01: Double Fertilization
At the end of double fertilization, a zygote and endosperm are produced. After double fertilization, fertilized ovule becomes a seed. The tissues of the ovary envelop the seed by becoming the fruit.
What is Triple Fusion?
Triple fusion is one of the two fertilization events of double fertilization of angiosperms. It refers to the fusion of one sperm nucleus with two polar nuclei inside the female gametophyte. It produces a triploid cell (3n). Since three haploid nuclei are fused, this event is known as triple fusion. This triploid nucleus develops into an endosperm. The endosperm provides nourishment to the developing embryo. Therefore, developing embryo gets nourishment from the endosperm, and it is an important process for angiosperms. This increases the viability of angiosperm seeds.
What are the Similarities Between Double Fertilization and Triple Fusion?
- Double fertilization and triple fusion are special traits of angiosperms or flowering plants.
- Both occur inside the ovary of a flower.
- Triple fusion is a part of double fertilization.
- In both processes, sperms participate, and nuclei fusions take place.
What is the Difference Between Double Fertilization and Triple Fusion?
Double fertilization refers to the two fertilization events taking place during the sexual reproduction of flowering plants while triple fusion is one of the two fertilization events of double fertilization. So, this is the key difference between double fertilization and triple fusion. Moreover, double fertilization produces seeds and fruits while triple fusion results in the endosperm which nourishes the developing embryo. Thus, this is also a significant difference between double fertilization and triple fusion.
Below infographic lists the differences between double fertilization and triple fusion in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Double Fertilization vs Triple Fusion
In double fertilization, one female gametophyte fertilizes from two male gametes. In other words, two fertilization events occur to produce two structures; zygote and endosperm in double fertilization. The goal of double fertilization in angiosperms is to produce seeds and fruits. Triple fertilization is one of the two fertilization events. It refers to the fusion of a sperm with two polar nuclei. It results in a triploid cell which develops into the endosperm. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between double fertilization and triple fusion.
Reference:
1. “Double Fertilization.” Lumen, Available here.
2. “Double Fertilization.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Jan. 2021, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Double Fertilization” The original uploader was Triploid at English Wikipedia. – Transferred from en.Wikipedia to Commons. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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