SEED CONES
Seed cones have two megasporangia at the base of each sporophyll, or scale. Meiosis occurs in the megasporangia to produce megaspores, one of which will develop into the female gametophyte. The egg produced by the female gametophyte remains in place on the fertile sporophyll. After pollination, maturation of the pollen produces a pollen tube, which deposits the sperm nuclei at the site of the egg. After fertilization, the zygote develops into an embryo that is encased within the tissue of the female gametophyte. The gymnosperm seed thus contains an embryo with nutrition ready for dispersal.