Paleoecology Flashcards
What is pollens role in the reproductive system of plants?
It is a male gamete
What is the male part of the flower?
Pollen anther
What is the female part of a flower?
Stigma (style and ovary)
Name the ways in which seeds disperse? (4)
Wind dispersal
Water dispersal
Animal dispersal
Self dispersal
Describe pollination
The transfer of pollen from anther to stigma of a flower of the same species
Name the 2 main mechanisms of pollination
Self pollination
Cross pollination
Which is a more advantageous form of pollination (self or cross)?
Cross as greater variation shown and more pollen grains produced
Self is disadvantageous to species as resulting seeds less likely to form a healthy plant
Difference between wind and animal dispersal?
Wind; more pollen produced, small,light and smooth grains
Animal; less pollen produced, larger, stickier grains
In what conditions are pollen grains best preserved?
Waterlogged, less oxygenated environments
Describe the properties that allow pollen grains to be well preserved?
- outer, protective layer made tough (sporopollenin)
How can we identify pollen?
- size and shape
- does it have apertures or holes
- surface texture
What is palynology?
The science of the study of pollen grains
What is a proxy?
An indirect measurement of something
Describe self -pollination
where a flower allows pollen to fertilise the egg cell within the ovary of the same plant
Describe cross pollination
where a flower transfers pollen from anther to stigma of different plant of same species-more advantageous as greater variation shown
