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SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN PANTS

OBJECTIVES

 Describe sexual reprodction.

 Identify sepals, petals, stamens and carpels of one locally available insect-
pollinated flower

 Describe the functions of the sepals, petals, anthers and carpels.

 Observe using a hand lens the sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels of the
flower and draw the parts.

 Discuss pollination in terms of types, agents, and methods.

 Compare wind and insect pollinated flowers using fresh specimens

 Describe the growth of pollen tube and its entry into the ovule followed by
fertilisation.

 Examine the structure of the seed (both for endospermic and non-
endospermic)

 Describe the structure and function of parts of a seed in terms of embryo

(radicle and plumule), cotyledons, and testa.

 Describe modes of seed dispersal

 State the advantages of seed dispersal.

 Investigate the environmental conditions which affect germination of seed.

 describe the role of enzymes in seed germination.

Definition: Sexual reproduction is the fusion of nuclei from two different gamates to
form a zygote. The flower forms the sexual reproductive system of a flowering plant.
It contains both the male and female parts.

THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWER

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Parts and Functions of the Flower

Part of flower Function

Sepal Covers and protects the developing flower in a bud.

Petals In insect pollinated flower, they are brightly coloured to

attract insects. They also enclose the carpels and stamens.

Stigma Recieves pollen grains during pollination.

Style Holds the stigma in position to recieve pollen grains. It is

also a passage for pollen tube when growing towards the
ovary.

Anther Produces and contains pollen grains.

Filament Hold and supports anther in position

Ovules Contains the female gamate. When fertilised it develops into

a seed.

Ovary Contains ovules.It develops in a fruit after fertilisation

Stalk Attaches the flower to the plant

Pollination
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Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anthers to the stigma.Pollination can occur
between flowers of the same plant or within the same flower. This form of pollination
is called self pollination. It can also take place between flowers of different plants but
of the same species. It is called cross- pollination.This happens by the assistance of
either the insects or wind, depending on the structure of the flower, therefore they are
two types of flowers which are; (i) insect pollinated and (ii) wind pollinated.

Comparison of Insect and Wind pollinated flowers

Insect Pollinated Plants Wind Pollinated Plants

Dull petals
Brightly coloured petals
No nectaries
Nectaries
Long Stamen which dangles out of the
Short Stamen
flower
Not scented
Scented
Large feathery stigma
Small sticky stigma
Small pollen grains(many since wastage
Large pollen grains(few since wastage is
is lot)
less)

Development of pollen tube

Pollination brings pollen grains to the stigma. There is a male sex cell in each pollen
grain. The sugar coating on the stigma, helps the pollen stick to it. If the conditions
are right, the pollen grain grows a tube. This pollen tube grows down through the style
carrying the male sex cell(gamate) until it reaches the embryo sac of the ovule in the
ovary.

Fertilisation
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It is the fusion of the male and female gamates to form a zygote. The fertilized egg
then divides by mitosis and grows into a seed which will become a new plant. Once
the egg has been fertilized the petals, sepals and stamen wither and fall off. The
integuments surrounding the ovule (now called a seed) harden and dry to become the
seed covering. In some plants the ovary and receptacle grow into fruit to help with
seed dispersal.

The seed structure

Parts and functions of the seed structure.

Part of seed Function

Testa A tough, hard, outer coat, that protects the seed from fungi,
bacteria and insects. It has to be split open by the radicle
before germination can proceed.

Hilum the hilum is a scar left by the stalk which attached the ovule
to the ovary wall.

Micropyle The micropyle is a tiny pore in the testa opposite the tip of
the radicle. It admits water to the embryo before active
germination.

Radicle The radicle is the embryonic root which grows and develops
into the root system of the plant.

Plumule The plumule is the embryonic shoot. In it two or more leaves

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are usually visible, with a growing point enclosed between

them.

Seed Dispersal

It is the scattering or distribution of seeds away from the parent plant.

Modes of dispersal
Agent of dispersal Feactures of seed or fruit

Wind Seeds have wing-like structures, parachute shaped and

light(weight) for easy gliding or floating in air. E.g
dandelion, , sycamore.
Fruits are succculent or juicy
Animal
Some are brightly coloured to attract insects

Some have hooks for attaching to animal fur. E.g tomato,

burdock with hooks.

Others are sticky for attaching to animal fur

Explosion Pods dry and split open suddenly with some considerable
force which throw their seeds some distance. E.g
peas,lupin,gorse and broom.
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Seeds dispersed by water are light in weight .They also have a

water fibrous coat for floatng in water.Mostly fruits are found in
plants which grow near water sources.

Advantages of seed dispersal

Plants disperse their seeds for the following reasons:

1. To ensure that species spreads as far as possible to colonise new areas.

2. To prevent competition with its own offspring for resources such as light,
water, space and nutrients.

GERMINATION

Germination is the ermegency of an embryo from the seed. This process occurs when
favourable environmental conditions are available.

Suitable conditions for germination:

1.Water

It softens the testa to allow the radicle to grow and push its way out. Water activates
the enzymes which convert the starch stored in the cotyledons.

2.Oxygen

Seed need oxygen for aerobic respiration, from which the seed derives its energy for
all the chemical processes which contribute to growth.

3.Temperature

Suitable temperature is necessary for the activities of enzymes when digesting

nutrients in cotyledons.

ROLE OF ENZYMES IN SEED GERMINATION

Stored starch is broken down to glucose by amylases. Glucose is used in the process
of aerobic respiration to release energy.

Protein is digested into amino acids by protease. Amino acids are needed for protein
synthesis for the growth of an emrging embryo.

Lipids(fats and oil) are broken down by lipases into fatty acids and glycerols.
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