Lecture: Flowers and Pollinators

Question 1

describe the structure of the pollen in wind-pollinated flowers

Answer 1

light

Question 2

what rewards do some animal pollinators provide? (3)

Answer 2

1. food (nectar/oils)
2. shelter
3. warmth

Question 3

the petals of animal pollinators are

Answer 3

large, showy, scented

Question 4

describe the pollen of animal pollinated flowers

Answer 4

sticky, large, few

Question 5

describe the stamens of animal pollinated flowers

Answer 5

rigid

Question 6

describe the stigma of wind pollinated flowers

Answer 6

small, bristley

Question 7

what feature of the pollinator must be considered? (5)

Answer 7

1. eyesight
2. energy requirements
3. size
4. olfactory sense
5. special abilities/structures

Question 8

flowers that are pollinated by bees are often what colour and offer what reward?

Answer 8

yellow and blue, and have nectar to feed the bees

Question 9

aside from colour, how do flowers attract bees?

Answer 9

olfactory (sweet scents)

Question 10

how do bee-pollinated flowers account for bees being alight to feed?

Answer 10

reinforced landing pads/lips

Question 11

fly-pollinated flowers typically have what structure?

Answer 11

tubular with nectar at the bottom, or flat and radial

Question 12

what are the characteristics of a flower pollinated by carrion flies?

Answer 12

fleshy, brown/red blossoms with scent of dead meat

Question 13

how does a plant benefit from producing heat?

Answer 13

1. melt frozen ground
2. flower earlier, pollinated earlier
3. enhance smell
4. inviting to insect pollinators

Question 14

moths have a poor sense of ___ and a strong sense of __-

Answer 14

sight; smell

Question 15

what are the characteristics of a moth-pollinated flower? (6)

Answer 15

1. open at night
2. strong nocturnal perfume
3. often white
4. flowers at an angle
5. nectar in long narrow spurs
6. much nectar

Question 16

birds have a poor sense of __ and a good sense of __

Answer 16

smell; vision

Question 17

what are the characteristics of a bird-pollinated flower? (6)

Answer 17

1. open during the day
2. not built for birds to land
3. bright, contrasting colours (red and yellow)
4. little fragrance
5. long, wide spur
6. huge nectar production

Question 18

bats have a good sense of ___and a poor sense of __-

Answer 18

smell; vision

Question 19

what are the characteristics of a bat-pollinated flower? (5)

Answer 19

1. open at night
2. whitish
3. strong nocturnal odour
4. large, so bats can cling and hang down
5. huge quantities of nectar and pollen