Sexual

Reproduction

In Flowering

plants

Objectives
Module 3
explain the sequence of events from pollination to
fertilization
explain the significance of double fertilization in the
embryo sac
discuss the development of the seed and the fruit
from the embryo sac and its contents, the ovule and
the ovary

Vocabulary

Angiosperm-

a flowering, seed-bearing
plant in which the ovule is enclosed in an
ovary which develops into the fruit after
fertilization.

Gametes-

these are haploid specialized

sex cells.

Zygote-

a diploid cell formed as a result

of fertilization.

Gametophyte-

the gamete-bearing
individual or phase in the life cycle of a
plant having alternation of generations.

Vocabulary contd

Antipodal

cell-three cells within the embryo sac of

a flower.

Embryo sac- the multi cellular structure formed by

meiosis in the ovule of an angiosperm that is the
female gametophyte where double fertilization
occurs.

Pollen sac- a structure in the anther of a flower

containing cells that form pollen, which contains
male gametes.

Embryo- the part of a seed which develops into a

plant, consisting of a plumule, a radicle, and one or
two cotyledons

Synergids- two cells within the embryo sac of a

plant flower which are at the opposite end of the
sac to the antipodal cells

Vocabulary Contd
Dehiscence-

the spontaneous opening at maturity

of a plant structure, such as a fruit or anther to
release its contents

Endosperm

nucleus- the triploid nucleus in a

flowers embryo sac formed from the union of a
male gamete with the primary endosperm nucleus

Pollination

Pollination

is the process by which pollen grains (male

gametophyte) are transferred from the anther of a
flower to the stigma.

There are various types of pollination that are utilized

by different species.

Cross pollination- this is the transfer of pollen grains

from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another
plant of the same species. Plants that carry out this
form of pollination usually have a taller stamens than
their carpels.

They might also be dioecious (the male reproductive

organs and female reproductive organs are found in
separate flowers in separate plants).e.g marijuana
(Cannabis sativa) and pawpaw.

Pollination contd

Plants that undergo cross pollination therefore are

usually have bright colored petals, nectar and are
sweetly scented to attract pollinators

Self pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from

the anther to the stigma of the same flower or the
same plant and results in inbreeding. Plants that
undergo self pollination usually have smaller flowers
with their carpels and stamens of the same length
since pollen grains are shed directly onto the stigma
sometimes even before they open(known as
cleistogamy).

E.g. of plants that self pollinate are: peanuts, beans,

and roses.


Self

Pollination Contd

pollinated flowers are less likely to resist diseases but

spend less energy in the production of pollinator attractants.

Cross pollinated flowers will not survive in regions where

pollinators are absent but they are more resistant to diseases
and aids in evolution

There are types of pollination according to the agent of

pollination which include:

Entomophily (insect pollination)-The flowers are large, and

brightly colored, usually have pleasant fragrance, sweet nectar
and the pollen grains are usually rough and sticky.

Anemophily (pollination by wind)- the filaments are long and

hang outside of the flower, stigmas are long and feathery.

Hydrophilly (pollination by water)- occurs in aquatic plants that

release pollen grains under water.

Sequence of events from pollination to

fertilization
1.Pollen

germination- Once pollination has occurred and

the pollen grain lands on the stigma, the pollen grains
stick to the surface of the stigma, absorb water and
begin to germinate (only if it is compatible).
2.The pollen grain then swells and it contents push
through its wall resulting in the formation of a pollen
tube that grows towards the ovule.
3.The pollen grain contains two nuclei: the generative
nucleus and the tube nucleus both of which are
haploid. As the tube grows, the generative nucleus
divides by mitosis to produce two haploid nuclei which
represents the male gametes.

Tube nucleus

Sequence of events from pollination to

fertilization
The pollen tube then enters the ovule
usually through the micropyle then
penetrates the embryo sac wall. The tube
nucleus then degenerates while the two
male gametes enter the embryo sac.

Fertilization then takes place.

One of the male gametes fuses with the
egg cell to produce a diploid zygote while
the other male gamete fuses with the
primary endosperm nucleus (or the two
polar nuclei) to form a triploid
endosperm nucleus however this is known
as double fertilization.
4.

Double fertilization and its significance

This

is a fertilization mechanism
unique to angiosperms which
involves the fusion of two male
gametes, one with the female
gamete forming the zygote, and the
other with the primary endosperm
nucleus forming the endosperm.

As

a result of double fertilization, an

endosperm is formed that will
provide the embryo with the
necessary nutrients during the first
few days of growth or where food is
scarce.

Double fertilization and its significance

contd
It

results in the formation of a

zygote, which develops into an
embryo and gives rise to a new
plant

It

results in variation among the

offsprings

It

stimulates the plants ovary to

develop into fruit and the ovule to
develop into the seed

Development of the seed

After

fertilization, the ovule

becomes the seed and remains
attached to the parent from whom it
receives its nutrients.

The

zygote divides by mitosis to

form the embryo and is attached to
the walls of the ovule by a large
basal cell and a little column of cells
called the suspensor.

The

radicle (embryo root),

plummule (embryo shoot) and the
cotyledon(one or two) will then
develop in the seed.

Seed development contd

The

triploid endosperm nucleus also divides by mitosis

to become the endosperm tissue which surrounds the
embryo. It might become the main food storage (as in
cereal grains) or it might disappear within a few days
of fertilization.

The

integuments lose their protoplasm ,toughen and

thicken to become the testa

Moisture

content decreases to about 10-15%. Dormancy

occurs (state of inactivity)

The

micropyle remains to allow oxygen and water to

enter during germination

Development of the fruit

The

ovary becomes the fruit

The

wall of the ovary becomes the

pericarp of the fruit which is adapted for
dispersion

The

pericarp contains three parts:

1.

Exocarp- the outermost skin or covering

2.

Mesocarp- middle part of the fruit

(usually fleshy and edible)

3.

Endocarp- the inner part of the fruit

.The

other parts of the flower wither and

fall off

References

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/angiosperm

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ synergid

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gametophyte

www.biology-online.org/dictionary/ Diploid

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dehiscence

http://biology.tutorvista.com/plant-kingdom/types-of-pollination.html

http://www.cropsreview.com/types-of-pollination.html

http://biology.tutorvista.com/plant-kingdom/types-of-pollination.html

http://www.biology.lifeeasy.org/2941/significance-of-double-fertilization#sthash.1wwU3KdR.dpuf

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Cross_Pollination_vs_Self_Pollination

https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/plant-reproduction-32/pollina
tion-and-fertilization-190/development-of-fruit-and-fruit-types-726-11955
/

http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/biology/significance-of-seed-and-fruit-formation-of-flowering-plants
/11794
/