Reproduction in Plants

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Does not involve fertilisation

Involves fertilisation (fusion of male and female

gamete)

Only 1 parent involved

2 parents involved

Genetically identical offspring

Genetically dissimilar offspring

Involves mitosis

Involves meiosis

Advantages:
- Only one parent
- Beneficial qualities passed down

Advantages:
- Offspring inherit beneficial traits from 2 parents
> Greater genetic variations
- Genetic variations allow offsprings to be more
adaptable to enviro changes

Disadvantages:
- Less variation > less adaptable to enviro
changes

- 2 parents required

Flower Parts
Flower Part

Function

Sepals

- Modified leaves that enclose and protect other

flower parts in bud stage

Petals

- Brightly coloured to attract insects for pollination

- Landing platform for insects

Stamen

Filament:
- Holds the anther in a suitable position to
disperse pollen
- Contains vascular bundles
- Xylem: Transport water and mineral salts to
the anther
- Phloem: Transport sucrose (source of
energy for cell div) and AA (synthesise
proteins + protoplasm) to anther
Anther:
- Contains pollen sacs which contain pollen grains
- Pollen grain has 2 nuclei (haploid): generative +
pollen tube

Carpel

Stigma:
- Receives pollen grains
- Secretes sugary fluid that stimulates pollen
grain to germinate
Style:
- Holds stigma in a suitable position to trap pollen
grains
Ovary:
- Contains one or more ovules which contain the
ovum + definitive nucleus

Self Pollination VS Cross Pollination

SELF POLLINATION

CROSS POLLINATION

What is it?

Pollen grain transferred to stigma of the

same flower/flower on same plant

Pollen grain transferred from anther to

stigma of flower on another plant of
same species

Characteristics of
flower

- Bisexual flowers; Stigma and anther

- Male and female flowers on diff plants

- In bisexual flowers, stigma and anther

Advantages

- Less pollen grain and energy wasted

- Beneficial traits are passed down to
-

Disadvantages

mature at same time

Anther is located directly above
stigma
Some plants with bisexual flowers
may remain closed to favour self
pollination

offspring
Doesn't depend on external factors
Only one parent plant
High probability of occurring as
stigmas are close to anthers

- Offspring are less adaptable to

-

changes in environment (due to less

varieties)
With continuous self pollination,
offspring may become smaller,
weaker and less resistant to diseases

mature at diff times

- Anther and stigma are located far

away from each other so that self
pollination is unlikely

- Offspring may have favourable traits

from both parents

- Greater variety of offspring (higher

genetic variability) > increases the

chances of survival of the species
when enviro changes
Seeds are more viable

- More pollen grain and energy wasted

- Lower probability of occurring (as
-

pollen grains have to be transferred

from 1 plant to another)
Two parents required
Depends on ext factors

Insect Pollinated VS Wind Pollinated

Insect-Pollinated Flower

Wind-Pollinated Flower

Flowers

- Large, brightly coloured petals

- Sweet scented

- Small, dull coloured

- NO PETALS
- No scent

Stamen

- Usually not pendulous

- Does not protrude

- Long & pendulous

- Protrudes out of flower
- Sways in slightest wind so that pollen
-

Pollen

- Fairly abundant
- Large, heavy, sticky and has a rough
surface to readily cling onto animals

Stigma

- Does not protrude

- Small & compact
- Sticky so that pollen grains settling on
stigma are not easily displaced

Pollination Process*
1.
2.
3.
4.

Identify pollination process

Stigma characteristics
Stamen characteristics
Pollen grain characteristics if needed

grains can be easily shaken out of

anther
Anther protrudes and is loosely
attached

- Abundant
- Small, dry, light, smooth surface and
buoyant in air

- Protrudes
- Large & feathery
- Provides large SA to trap pollen grains
in the air

Fertilisation
1. Mature stigma secretes sugary fluid > Stimulates the pollen grain to germinate
2. Pollen tube grows out of pollen grain > Cytoplasm, pollen tube + generative nuclei pass into
pollen tube
3. Enzymes secreted by the pollen tube nucleus which catalyses the digestion of/digests??
tissues of the style and stigma as it grows and penetrates the style
4. The pollen tube grows and enters ovule through the micropyle
5. While travelling, generative nucleus divides to form 2 non-motile, male gametes
6. Pollen tube nucleus breaks down
7. In the ovule, tip of the pollen tube absorbs sap and bursts > releases the 2 male gametes
8. One male gamete fuses with the egg (Fertilisation)> form zygote> develops into embryo of
seed
9. Other male gamete fuses with definitive nucleus > Forms endosperm nucleus > Divides
and gives rise to endosperm (food storage)

Function of Pollen Tube

- To guide the male nucleus/nuclei from the pollen grain to the female nucleus/nuclei in the ovule
(1m question)

- It secretes enzymes which break down the style to allow pollen tube to grow towards (0.5m) the
ovary, hence transporting male gametes towards the ovary. (0.5m)

- Tip bursts open to release male gametes into ovule to allow nuclei of male and female gametes
to fuse

Frodosynthesis: The process by which Treebeard and his friends convert light energy into nutri-Ents...