What is Pollination?

Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen from male parts (anther) of a flower to female parts of a flower (stigma).

Why is pollination important?

Necessary for reproduction of plants Genetic diversity through sexual reproduction Crops

Pollination
Because plants cant go find a mate they require the help of:
Abiotic - Pollination by wind, water or gravity Biotic - Pollination by a living organism.

Abiotic pollination
What are three things that you think are important about pollination with wind.

Abiotic Wind pollination Most common

Flowers are usually unscented and with little color. Have smaller petals or none. Do not produce nectar. Male and female reproductive structures are commonly found on separate plants (dioecous) Large amounts of pollen is produced.

Why?
If you are not trying to attract a pollinator, you do not need to advertise. It saves on energy. Negative you need to release A LOT of pollen part of the reason so many people have allergies.

Weeping willow

Photo by Mrs. Gilmore

This is pollen up really close.

Biotic Pollination
The plant must have:
Some kind of reward such as food (nectar), or protection Some way to advertise such as odor, color, shape, texture. A way to get the pollen on the visitor but also a way to transfer it to the next flower. Specialized structures to aid in pollen transfer.

Biotic Pollination
What are critters that YOU have seen pollinating? Make a list, now. .

Examples of biotic pollinators

This hummingbird is a pollinator for this Australian willow in the Gilmores back yard.

Photo by Mrs. Gilmore

Examples of biotic pollinators

There are three different pollinators at these daisies. Can you find them?

Photo by Mrs. Gilmore. Calaveras Big Trees

Examples of biotic pollinators

Over 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination. Mangoes, bananas, guavas

Examples of biotic pollinators

This photo, by Colin Paterson Jones, shows a Namaqua Rock Mouse pollinating Protea humiflora (protea is the national flower of South Africa). Not mice only, but shrews, gerbils, and yes, ratsvisit several of the low-to-the-ground species of proteas.

Flowers can have specialized structures to aid in pollination.

This structure temporarily traps a pollinator to ensure the pollen is transferred

Review:
What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by abiotic factors? What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by biotic factors?

Answers
What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by abiotic factors?
Small flowers Exposed pollen Less bright colors or none at all. No scent Lots of pollen No nectar

Answers
What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by biotic factors?
A way to advertise
Bright colors Scent good or bad

Specialized parts Some kind of reward like nectar or protection

Left Final Question Exit Ticket

What comes first fertilization or pollination? Explain and write in complete sentences.

Fertilisation and Fruit Development

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

Once pollination occurs a tube grows from the pollen grain down through the style to the ovule
stigma style carpel ovary ovule

Note: Petals not shown in order to simplify diagram

Flower Structure Pollination Fruit Development Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Fertilisation occurs when the male gamete fuses with the ovule (the female gamete)

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

Seed Dispersal

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

Watch the video on seed dispersal (lasts just under 10 minutes)

If the hyperlink does not work then copy and paste this url into a new browser window and you can watch the video then, url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbQ1jWl3AOM

After fertilisation the petals, stamen and sepals fall off. The ovule turns into a seed, the fertilised egg inside develops into an embryo plant.

Testa: tough seed coat Micropyle: Hole made by pollen tube

Cotyledon: Food store Plumule: Embryo shoot

Embryo plant

Radicle: Embryo root

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

Water leaves the seed, it dehydrates and becomes dormant because metabolic reactions stop. The ovary develops to become a fruit.
Fleshy wall of the ovary (yes, you are eating an adapted ovary when you crunch into an apple!

seed

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

Seeds need to be dispersed away from the parent plant in order to reduce competition for space, light, nutrients and water.

Seeds can be dispersed by: Wind Water Mechanical Animals

Fill in the worksheet on the reasons and mechanisms for seed dispersal

Seed dispersal quiz

Click the correct answer Which mechanism for dispersal is used by the seed shown in the picture

water

mechanical
wind animal
Flower Structure Pollination Fertilisation Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Seed dispersal quiz

Click the correct answer Which mechanism for dispersal is used by the seed shown in the picture

mechanical animal water wind

Flower Structure Pollination Fertilisation Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Seed dispersal quiz

Click the correct answer Which mechanism for dispersal is used by the seed shown in the picture

water wind animal mechanical

Flower Structure Pollination Fertilisation Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Seed dispersal quiz

Click the correct answer Which mechanism for dispersal is used by the seed shown in the picture

animal mechanical water wind

Flower Structure Pollination Fertilisation Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Germination

Flower Structure

Pollination

Fruit Development

Seed Dispersal

Germination

Test

The seed contains the embryo plant and cotyledons (starch stores)
Testa

Water enters the seed through the micropyle and activates enzymes.

Plumule (embryo shoot)

The water also softens the testa to allow it to split.

Radicle (embryo root) Label the diagram of the seed

Micropyle
Flower Structure Pollination Fruit Development

Cotyledon
Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Enzymes are used in seed germination Plumule

starch
amylase secreted

embryo plant

The enzymes break starch down into maltose and then glucose. The glucose is used in respiration to provide energy for growth

maltose
Radicle This is the first part to grow out of the seed as it needs to absorb more water
Flower Structure Pollination Fruit Development Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Whilst germinating the plant uses food stores in the cotyledon to provide energy for growth
light The seedling can now photosynthesise and make its own food

germination
Plant growth and development
Flower Structure Pollination Fruit Development Seed Dispersal Germination Test

soil

Changes in dry mass of the germinating seed:

Answer the question on the worksheet

Seed loses weight as it uses up starch stores in the cotyledons as the seedling cannot photosynthesise yet

Click to listen to an explanation

Dry mass/g Weight increases as the seedling can photosynthesise and plant grows

Dry mass is the mass of solid matter with all water removed

Days
Flower Structure Pollination Fruit Development Seed Dispersal Germination Test

Conditions required for germination Summarise the findings of the experiment shown below:
Click to listen to an explanation

Pyrogallol (absorbs oxygen)

No light

Oxygen present

Oxygen present

Oxygen present No oxygen

Oxygen present

moist 4oC A
Flower Structure

dry Warm B
Pollination

moist
Warm C
Fruit Development Seed Dispersal

moist
Warm D
Germination Test

moist Warm E