botany: Plant Reproduction Flashcards
What is asexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent and produces identical clones through mitosis. It’s quick and doesn’t require a mate or pollinators.
What is sexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction involves two parents, with a haploid sperm and egg fusing to form a diploid zygote. Offspring are genetically diverse, helping survival in changing conditions.
Why is asexual reproduction faster?
It doesn’t require finding a mate, relies only on one parent, and quickly produces clones if conditions are favorable.
How do bryophytes reproduce asexually?
Bryophytes can reproduce from pieces of the gametophyte thallus or specialized structures called gemmae that grow into new plants.
How do many vascular plants reproduce asexually?
Many vascular plants can reproduce from stems, leaves, or roots, a useful method for gardeners who want identical plants.
What are flowers, and why are they important?
Flowers, unique to angiosperms, protect reproductive organs and attract pollinators. Once pollinated, they mature into fruit that contains seeds.
What are the main parts of a flower?
The four main parts are calyx (protective green sepals), corolla (colored petals), stamen (male part), and pistil (female part).
What are the roles of stamen and pistil?
The stamen (male) produces pollen in anthers, while the pistil (female) has stigma, style, and ovary where fertilization occurs.
What is pollination?
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma, allowing fertilization to occur and eventually forming seeds.
What is self-pollination?
Self-pollination occurs when pollen from the same plant fertilizes its own stigma or flowers.
What are common pollinators, and why are they important?
Pollinators include insects, birds, and sometimes wind or water. They are crucial for transferring pollen to produce fruit and seeds in many crops.
How do plants ensure cross-pollination?
Plants can ripen pollen and stigma at different times or develop flowers that are incompatible with their own pollen.
What is cross-pollination?
Cross-pollination occurs when pollen from one plant fertilizes a different plant of the same species, promoting genetic diversity.
What are the characteristics of wind-pollinated flowers?
They are usually small, lack scent and bright colors, produce lots of pollen, and have feathery stigmas to catch pollen.
What is a seed, and how does it form?
A seed forms from a fertilized ovule, which contains an embryo and protective seed coat. It can grow into a new plant.
What is the difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms?
Gymnosperms produce “naked seeds” without fruit, while angiosperms form seeds surrounded by fruit.
What are monocot and dicot seeds?
Monocot seeds have one cotyledon with endosperm for food storage, while dicot seeds have two large cotyledons and little endosperm.
What is fruit?
Fruit is the ripened ovary that surrounds and protects seeds and often aids in seed dispersal.
What is germination?
Germination is when a seed absorbs water, bursts open, and the embryo begins to grow into a seedling.
What are cotyledons?
Cotyledons are parts of the embryo that store food for the developing seedling. Monocots have one, dicots have two.
How do plants disperse seeds?
Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, animals, or insects. Some plants rely on animals eating and excreting seeds to spread them.
What is dormancy?
Dormancy is a state where seeds wait for favorable conditions to germinate, helping them survive harsh environments.
What is a seed bank?
A seed bank stores seeds to prevent plant extinction, maintain biodiversity, and conserve rare plant varieties.
