proembryos

A proembryo is an early stage of embryonic development in plants. It represents the first few cell divisions of the zygote after fertilization. In many plants, the zygote divides transversely to form a two-celled proembryo, and subsequent divisions lead to a multicellular structure. This early stage is characterized by a relatively undifferentiated mass of cells that will eventually develop into the more complex embryonic structures like the suspensor and the embryonic proper. The shape and pattern of cell division in the proembryo can vary significantly between different plant species, providing clues about their developmental pathways. The suspensor, a stalk-like structure derived from some proembryo cells, plays a role in pushing the developing embryo into the nutrient-rich endosperm or maternal tissue. The proembryo stage is crucial as it establishes the basic organization and polarity of the future embryo. Its development is tightly regulated by a complex interplay of maternal and zygotic genes.