Pollination and fertilization are two distinct processes in the reproductive cycle of flowering plants.
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma.
Fertilization occurs when the male gametes fuse with the female gametes, resulting in the formation of the zygote.
Both processes are essential for the successful reproduction and propagation of flowering plants.
Male reproductive structures and their functions:
Female reproductive structures and their functions:
Examples of pollinators: Bees, butterflies, bats, birds, wind.
Different types of pollination can be observed in flowering plants.
Self-pollination: Occurs when the pollen from the anther of a flower fertilizes the stigma of the same flower or another flower of the same plant.
Cross-pollination: Involves the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on a different plant.
Cross-pollination promotes genetic diversity and increases the chances of successful fertilization.
Examples of self-pollinating plants: Wheat, rice, peas.
Examples of cross-pollinating plants: Apples, roses, sunflowers.
Adaptations in flowers promote effective pollination.
Nectar: Sugar-rich reward produced by flowers to attract pollinators.
Bright colors: Attract pollinators, making it easier for them to locate the flowers.
Fragrance: Pleasant scents produced by flowers to attract pollinators.
Tubular shape: Many flowers have long, tubular structures that specifically fit pollinator mouthparts.
Landing platforms: Flowers provide landing platforms for pollinators, making the transfer of pollen more efficient.
Examples of insect-pollinated flowers: Roses, lilies, orchids.
Examples of wind-pollinated flowers: Grasses, conifers.
After successful pollination, pollen grains germinate on the stigma to form a pollen tube.
The pollen tube grows through the style towards the ovary.
This process is guided by chemical cues and is essential for the delivery of male gametes to the female gametes.
The pollen tube releases the male gametes into the ovary for fertilization to occur.
Example: In maize, the pollen tube grows through the silk, which extends from the ovary to the outside of the flower.
Fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes, resulting in the formation of the zygote.
Double fertilization is a unique feature of flowering plants.
One male gamete fuses with the egg cell to form the zygote (2n).
The other male gamete fuses with two polar nuclei to form the endosperm (3n).
Double fertilization leads to the development of both the embryo and the nutritive tissue, ensuring the survival and growth of the plant.
Examples: Fertilization in an angiosperm flower, such as a lily or an orchid.
After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed.
Seeds have protective seed coats to safeguard the embryo and provide dormancy.
The endosperm, formed by the fusion of male and female gametes, serves as a nutrient source for the developing embryo.
Seed dispersal is crucial for the successful establishment of new plants in different environments.
Examples of seed dispersal mechanisms: Explosive seed pods, animal ingestion and excretion, wind dispersal, water dispersal.
In some cases, the ovary develops into a fruit after fertilization.
Fruits protect the developing seeds and aid in their dispersal.
Fruits can be classified into different types based on their characteristics:
Examples of true fruits: Apples, tomatoes, grapes.
Examples of accessory fruits: Pineapples, strawberries.
Examples of multiple fruits: Pineapple, fig.
Asexual reproduction in flowering plants is characterized by the production of genetically identical offspring.
Vegetative propagation is a common method of asexual reproduction in plants.
It involves the use of vegetative parts, such as stems, roots, or leaves, to grow new plants.
This process allows for the preservation of desirable traits in horticulture and agriculture.
Example of vegetative propagation: Potato tubers, plant cuttings, runner plants like strawberries.
Seeding is another method of asexual reproduction in flowering plants.
Some plants produce specialized structures called runners or stolons, which grow horizontally and develop new plants at nodes.
Runners and stolons allow plants to reproduce both sexually and asexually, effectively spreading their genetic material.
This type of asexual reproduction is advantageous for plants in environments with limited resources.
Example: Strawberries reproduce by sending out runners, which take root and form new plants.