9.4 Plant Reproduction

Question 1

How do plants use mutualistic relationships with pollinators in order to reproduce?

Answer 1

Pollinators feed on the nectar and pick up pollen from the stamen/anther to bring it to the style of another plant.

Question 2

How does flowering involves a change in gene expression in the shoot apex?

Answer 2

The gene expression will change usually with a change in the day/night length.

Question 3

Explain photoperiodism.

Answer 3

Phytochromes detect periods of light and darkness. They exist in an active form Pfr and in an inactive from Pr. The inactive Pr turns into the active from Pfr in response to light, and vice versa. So over the day lots of Pr gets converted into Pfr, and over the night most Pfr gets converted back (but not all!). In short day plants (winter), Pfr inhibits plant flowering. In long day plants (summer), Pfr promotes flowering.

Question 4

What is germination?

Answer 4

Seed begins to sprout. It requires oxygen, water, a specific temperature and pH -> those can be changed for an experiment.