Which male gametophyte has the least number of cells?

The male gametophyte in flowering plants is represented by the pollen grain, which develops from the microspore. In the case of Lilium, the male gametophyte (the pollen grain) is relatively simple and comprises only a few cells. Specifically, it usually consists of a vegetative cell and a generative cell, making it minimal in structure and cellular components.

In contrast, other options like the male gametophytes of rose, pine, and corn are typically more complex. For instance, rose pollen grains may consist of more cells as they can have additional layers for functionality. Pine, being a gymnosperm, produces male gametophytes that can be quite extensive and may have several cells to facilitate diverse developmental functions. Corn, which is a monocot, also has more complex pollen structure.

The simplicity of Lilium’s male gametophyte allows it to function effectively within the reproductive processes of the plant while keeping the cellular composition to a minimum, which is characteristic of certain angiosperms. This is why the answer identifying Lilium as having the least number of cells in its male gametophyte is accurate.