What happens after a zygote is formed in the fertilization process?

After a zygote is formed through fertilization, it undergoes a series of developmental stages that ultimately lead to the formation of a seed, especially in plants. The zygote is the initial stage of development and contains genetic material from both the male and female gametes.

Following fertilization, the zygote divides through a process called mitosis, developing into an embryo. In flowering plants, this process takes place within the ovule found in the ovary of the flower. As the embryo develops, it is nurtured by surrounding tissues, forming a seed. This seed contains the potential to grow into a new plant when conditions are favorable, allowing for reproduction and the continuation of the species.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the fate of a zygote. Decomposition would not occur immediately following the zygote's formation, as it is a crucial developmental stage. Turning into a pollinator or maturing into a flower also does not represent the biological process following fertilization. Instead, the zygote's transformation into a seed encapsulates the essential development leading to the next generation in plants.