What is the male sex cell in plants called?

• A. Pollen grain
• B. Ovule
• C. Seed
• D. Spore

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how the male genetic material is carried in flowering plants. In these plants, the male sex cell is contained in pollen grains. Each pollen grain carries the male gametophyte, which produces the sperm cells. When pollination occurs, the pollen grain lands on a compatible stigma, germinates, and grows a pollen tube that delivers the sperm to the ovule for fertilization. That’s why the pollen grain is described as the male sex cell in this context.

The other options refer to different parts of the reproductive process: the ovule is the female structure that houses the egg; the seed is the mature product after fertilization; and a spore is used by many non-seed plants for reproduction.