Abstract: Studies of ultrastructure and ATPase localization of the mature embryo sac in Vicia faba L. show that the egg cell has no cell wall at thechalazal end, it has a chalazally located nucleus and a large micropylar vacuole. There are many nuclear pores in the nuclear membrane. The cytoplasm is restricted around the nucleus. Dictyosome and mitochondria are few. There are some starch grains and lipid grains in the egg cytoplasm. There are no obvious differences between two synergids. No cell wall is seen at the chalazal end either, but there are some vesicles which project to vacuole of the central cell and fuse with its vacuolar membrane. Plasmodesmata connections occur within the synergid wall where it is adjacent to the central cell. The synergid has a micropylarly located nucleus and a chalazal vacuole, the nucleus is irregularly shaped. The synergid cytoplasm is rich in organelles. The filiform aparatus is of relatively heterogeneous structure. The central cell is occupied by a large vacuole and its cytoplasm is confined to a thin layer along the empryo sac wall, but is rich in various organelles, starch grains and lipid bodies. Nucleolar vacuoles are often present two polar nuclei. The nuclear membranes of two polar nuclei have partly fused. ATPase reactive product was located obviously at the endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm of the egg cell and central cell. The embryo sac wall consists of different density of osmiophilic layer. There are some wall ingrowths in chalazal region of the embryo sac. The long-shaped and cuneate cells of chalazal region are peculiar. Special tracks of ATPase reactive products are visible at their intercellular space which may be related to transportation of nutrients.

Key words: icia faba, Mature embryo sac, Ultrastructure, ATPase