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Updated: May 3, 2026

Studying Mitochondrial Structure and Function in Drosophila Ovaries
Published on: January 4, 2017
Role of mitochondria during female gametophyte development and fertilization in A. thaliana
María Victoria Martin1, Ayelén Mariana Distéfano1, Andrés Bellido1
1Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas IIB-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Abstract:
Plants alternate between two generations during their life cycle: the diploid sporophyte and the haploid male and female gametophytes, in which gametes are generated. In higher plants, the female gametophyte or embryo sac is a highly polarized seven-celled structure that develops within the sporophytic tissues of the ovule. It has been proposed that mitochondria are crucial in many cell signaling pathways controlling mitosis, cell specification, cell death and fertilization within the embryo sac. Here, we summarize recent findings that highlight the importance of this organelle during female gametophyte development and fertilization in plants.
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