The correctly paired option is: microspore – n (haploid).

Key idea

  • In angiosperms, meiosis in the microspore mother cell (2n) produces four microspores , each with haploid (n) chromosomes.
  • These microspores then develop into pollen grains , which are also haploid (n).

What happens to other cells?

  • Megaspore : Produced by meiosis from the megaspore mother cell (2n), so each functional megaspore is haploid (n) , not 2n.
  • Egg cell : Formed from the megaspore during embryo sac development, so it is also haploid (n).
  • Zygote : Formed after fertilization (fusion of two n nuclei), so it becomes diploid (2n).

Quick memory hack

  • Any cell before meiosis in the sporophytic generation: usually 2n.
  • Any cell after meiosis (spores, gametes, microspores, megaspores): usually n.
  • Fertilization restores 2n in the zygote and sporophytic tissues.

So, when you see this question again, look for the option where a spore or gamete is haploid (n) and a zygote is diploid (2n) ; those will be the correctly paired chromosome counts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.