POLLINATION

Why is the flower generally the attractive part of a plant?

 The flower is the part of a plant that contains the reproductive structures and generally
it is the most colourful, bright, showy and has a sweet scent which attracts insects
towards them to facilitate pollination to produce fruits and seeds. Hence …..
Why grass flowers/paddy the flowers are small and unattractive?
 Grass flowers are wind pollinated, thus they don't have bright coloured petals or sweet
smell. Wind pollinated flowers are not bright and they don't smell sweet as these flowers
don't attract insects. Their main agent for pollination is wind. These flowers also have long
styles with light weight anthers, so that it can blow easily to next flower for pollination.

Parts of a Flower
A typical flower consists of the following parts, arranged in four whorls or four concentric rings.
Calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium (CCAG)
o CALYX –
o The first or outermost whorl of the flower.
o Consists of the sepals. Sepals are green, leaf-like parts that are located at the base of
the flower that protect the flower during the bud stage and while it blooms.
o COROLLA –
 The second whorl of the flower.
 Consists of the petals. It is the most attractive part of a flower. Mostly, petals are
brightly coloured to attract insects for pollination.
o ANDROECIUM –
 The third whorl of the flower.
 Consists of the stamens. Stamens are the male reproductive structures of a flower,
 Each stamen has a thin stalk called the filament and a lobed structure at its tip, called
the anther
 The anther contains fine, powdery substance called the pollen or pollen grains. These
are the male reproductive cells or gametes.
o GYNOECIUM –
 The fourth or innermost whorl of the flower.
 Consists of the carpel or pistil. The carpel is the female reproductive structure of a
flower.
 The carpel has three parts-the swollen part at the base called the ovary, the thin stalk
called the style and the thickened top part called the stigma.
 Inside the ovary, there are the structures called ovules, which contain eggs or female
gametes. After the process of fertilisation, the ovary develops into fruits while ovule
into seeds.

o The stalk attaches the flower to the stem. The tip of the pedicel is swollen and is
called the thalamus it bears the whorl of the flower.
 TYPES OF FLOWERS
Flowers are divided into two types-Bisexual and Unisexual-based on the presence of
the male and female reproductive parts.
 Bisexual Flowers/ Hermaphrodites
The flowers in which both the male and the female reproductive parts are present are known
as bisexual flowers or hermaphrodites. For example, Hibiscus, mustard and daffodil.
 Monosexual/Unisexual Flowers/Incomplete flowers
The flowers in which either the male or the female reproductive parts are present are known
as monosexual or unisexual flowers. They are therefore also called incomplete flowers.
For example, maize, bitter gourd and muskmelon.

POLLINATION
Definition: The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the flower is
called pollination.
 The pollen grains present in the anther which is the male reproductive structure must
be transferred to the stigma, the female reproductive structure of the flower.
 Only then the ovary will develop into a fruit and the ovules will form the seeds.

PROCESS OF POLLINATION/HOW ARE FLOWERS POLLINATED

 Pollination is the first step in the process of seed formation.
 Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the male reproductive
organs to the female reproductive organs of a plant, thereby enabling fertilisation.
 The pollen contains male sperm (gametes), and the carpel is where the female gametes are
contained. Both the gametes must come in contact with each other for the reproduction to
take place.
 When the anthers mature, they split open and the pollen grains are set free. The pollen
grains may fall on the stigma of the same flower (in case of bisexual flowers). They
may also be carried to the stigma of another flower belonging to the same kind by the
different agents of pollination.
WAYS OF POLLINATION
 Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the
flower, occurring in the same flower or between the flowers of the same plant.
 Cross-pollination: The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the
flower or flowers on different plants of the same species
Advantages of Self-pollination
 Self-pollination ensures continuity of the species.
 Self-pollination helps to preserve the parental characters.
 It is economical as the plants do not have to produce pollen grains in large
quantity.
Disadvantages of Self-pollination
 New varieties cannot be obtained by self-pollination.
 The genetic defects may be continued.
 Seeds produced are smaller and weaker.
 Advantages of Cross-pollination
 Cross-pollination results in healthier offspring.
 Seeds produced by cross-pollination have much better germinating capacity.
 More abundant seeds are produced.
 Variations are introduced by cross-pollination.
Disadvantages of Cross-pollination
 It is not always certain as a pollinating agent is always required, and it may or may
not be available at the suitable time.
 Pollen grains have to be produced in abundance to ensure chances of pollination.
This results in lot of wastage of pollen.
 It is uneconomical for plants as they have to produce flowers that are large,
perfumed and with nectar to attract insects.

Fertilisation in plants is essential for survival of organisms. What might happen if

this mechanism is affected?
- Ovary will not develop into fruit and ovules will not form seeds
- If seed formation stops new plants will not grow.
- Continuation of plant species will stop. *
- Plant life will be hampered and subsequently animals and humans dependent on
plants will be in danger *
Pollinators like bees are affected?
- Pollination will not take place and hence fertilisation will not happen. (+above points)
 PLANT REPRODUCTION
The process by which living organisms produce young ones is called reproduction.
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS: FERTILISATION
 This fusion of the male and female gametes to produce a zygote is called fertilisation.
 The sexual reproduction in plants is carried out by male and female reproductive parts
present in a flower.
 When the mature pollen grains reach the stigma, they stick there due to the presence of
a sticky substance produced by the stigma.
 The pollen grains compatibility with the stigma depends on the recognition of the
sticky substance by the pollen grains. Once the connection is done, the outer wall of
the pollen grain bursts and produces a pollen tube carrying the male cell.
 The male gamete finds its way to reach the female gamete or the egg cell present in the
ovule of the ovary, the male and female cells, unite and fuse together forming a fertilised
cell called the zygote.
FORMATION OF FRUIT AND SEEDS
 After fertilization, the zygote further develops into an embryo. Gradually, the fertilised
ovule develops into seeds. The ovary begins to ripen and changes into a fruit.
STRUCTURE OF A SEED
 The seeds have a hard covering called the seed coat. It protects the seed.
 The seed leaves inside a seed are called cotyledons. These cotyledons contain all the
food supply for the baby plant and provide nourishment to the growing embryo. They
also protect the embryo.
 Seeds with two cotyledons are called dicotyledonous or dicot seeds. For example,
kidney beans, all pulses. A corn seed and all cereals have only one cotyledon and is
called monocotyledonous or monocot seed.
 The baby plant inside the cotyledon it is called the embryo. The embryo has a radicle
and a plumule. The plumule later grows out of the ground and develops into shoot
system, and the radicle develops into root system.
GERMINATION
 Most plants grow from seeds. But all the seeds do not grow into plants. Only ripe and
healthy seeds that get all the favourable conditions, grow into new plants.
 Germination is the process by which a seed produces a baby plant or seedling in the
presence of water, air and warmth. If any one condition is missing, the seed will not
germinate.
 The root of the embryo pushes the seed coat. It grows down into the soil and forms the
root.
 The cotyledons are pulled upwards. The baby plant, called seedling, starts coming out
of the cotyledons. The stem grows longer and the leaves appear first. When the leaves
develop completely, the cotyledons dry and fall off.
 Then the branches, buds, flowers and fruits appear.
 A seed needs good soil which is rich in nutrients along with air, warmth and water
 Air is needed by the seed to breathe
 Warmth makes the seed active. Water softens the food inside and the seed coat so that
the baby plant can break open the seed coat and come out

WHY DISPERSAL OF SEEDS IS IMP?

 It is important for the seeds to be dispersed at some distance away from the parent
plant, because if all seeds fall just below the parent plant, they will not be able to grow
healthily and develop at one place. It is so because there will be shortage of water, and
they will compete for space and nutrient and minerals. They may not grow into healthy
plants and may eventually die.
The process by which the seeds are scattered away from the parent plant is called seed
dispersal.
Agents
Dispersal by Wind
Some seeds that are small and light in weight, are easily dispersed by wind to far away
places. These seeds have hair-like structures or wings that help the seeds to glide even
in gentle breeze. Example cotton, dandelion maple and drumstick

Dispersal by Water
Plants that grow near water bodies are dispersed by water. The seeds have fibrous or
spongy covering that helps them to float in water. Example coconut and lotus.

Dispersal by Animals
 Animals may eat the fleshy fruit and the hard seed is egested from their bodies and
fall at various places. Thus, they help in SD
 Fruits also develop hooks, spines, bristles or projections that stick to the bodies of
animals or to the clothes of humans and are carried to far off places where they fall
and germinate.
 Human beings consume fruits like watermelon, papaya and mango and throw their
seeds in other places. When conditions are favourable, these seeds germinate to form
new plants. Example Cocklebur – dogs and hazelnut - birds

Dispersal by Explosion
Seeds of some plants are dispersed when the ripened fruit bursts open. For example,
balsam fruit bursts when ripe and dry and the seeds are expelled and thrown out with a
force. These seeds are scattered around the parent plant where they germinate under
favourable conditions. Example – poppy and pea plant
 REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS THROUGH VEGETATIVE PARTS /
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION / ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Most plants grow from seeds. But there are some plants that grow from stems, leaves,
roots, etc.
GROWING PLANTS FROM STEM
• There are small buds on a potato and ginger, which grow into new plants. Money plant
and sugar cane grow into a new plant if a stem cutting is planted in the soil. Onion,
potato and ginger are underground stems.
• Plants like rose, hibiscus and sugar cane are grown from stem cuttings.

GROWING PLANTS FROM ROOTS

Sweet potatoes grow into new plants from their roots. Buds appear on the roots of sweet
potato. These buds then grow into new plants. Carrot and turnip can also be grown from
their roots.

GROWING PLANTS FROM LEAVES

Leaves of Bryophyllum and Begonia (elephant ear) grow buds along their edges. These
buds grow into new plants when they fall on the ground, and find soil, water and
warmth.

GROWING PLANTS FROM SPORES

Some plants do not bear seeds and flowers. They reproduce through special structures
called spores. For example, ferns, mosses and some fungi. These spores fall on the
ground and grow into new plants. Mushrooms

Watermelon has many seeds. Each seed can grow into a new plant. But this does not
happen. Why?
Ans: A plant produces many seeds. The reason for it to produce many seeds is that they
can be scattered and dispersed to far off places. Not all seeds are able to germinate as all
of them may not get favourable conditions.

Seeds dispersed by water/coconut are usually encased in a fruit with fibrous husk.
Ans: Seeds like coconut are dispersed by water. They are encased in a fruit with fibrous
husk as it helps the fruit to float on water. The fibrous husk traps air and allows the fruit
to float on the surface of water and reach the shore where it can germinate and grow.