Question

Function of synergids is to
A. Attract pollen tube and bear its shock
B. Fuse with extra male gametes and form endosperm
C. Produce additional embryo
D. Protect egg from pathogens

Answer 1

Synergids are the two cells located adjacent to the female egg cell in the lower part of the embryo sac in flowering plants. They play an important role in angiosperm reproduction.

Complete answer:
In an anatropous ovule embryo sac, the upper region has an inverted embryo sac which has three antipodal cells and the lower region has two synergids. A female egg cell is present in between synergids. Above this, a large central cell is placed having two polar nuclei. The combination of synergids and egg cell makes egg apparatus.
Now, the two polar nuclei and egg cells both need to be fertilised by two male gametes. These male gametes enter the embryo sac via pollen tube. The pollen tube takee entry from the lower region of sac,which has a micropyle there. Then the tube goes to the synergids. Filiform apparatus is present in it.
It redirects the tube to the egg cell and syngamy occurs. Then it goes to the polar nuclei and triple fusion occurs and PEN is made. Endosperm cells are formed which provide nutrition.
So the function of synergids is to attract the pollen tube and bear its shock.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Additional embryo is formed only when there is haploid synergy. If there is any pathogen affecting embryos,then it will affect the synergids too. The function of synergids is to basically attract and guide the pollen tube to the megagametophyte.