Plants- Sexual Reproduction In Seed Bearings

Question 1

Function Of the seed

Answer 1

To protect, nourish, and disperse the embryo

Question 2

Benefits

Answer 2

Creates genetic diversity – may allow some individuals to survive and reproduce if environment changes

Can remain dormant until ideal conditions are present for growth

Dispersal allows seeds to cover a wide area, have less competition or find better growing conditions

Question 3

Costs

Answer 3

Requires special structures/features (reproductive organ, features to attract pollinator) that require resources to build and maintain—-problematic if resources are scarce (e.g. environment change)

Question 4

Pollinator

Answer 4

Transfer of pollen (male) to ovule (female) via wind or animals (e.g. insects, birds, bats)
-Once “landed”, the pollen grows into a pollen tube that grows down to the ovule

Question 5

Pollination in Gymnosperms

Answer 5

• Separate male and female cones
• Pollen must land near the ovule, where a sticky resin and shape of cone guide the pollen into the ovule.
• Wind-pollinated

Question 6

Pollination in Angiosperms

Answer 6

Reproductive systems are in flowers:
STAMEN – (male) consists of FILAMENT (long stalk) and ANTHER (produces pollen)

PISTIL / CARPEL – (female) consists of STIGMA (sticky top where pollen lands), STYLE (tube that leads to ovary), and OVARY (produces the ovule)

Question 7

Distinguishing features of plants: animal pollinated

Answer 7

Animal-pollinated flowers are more “flashy” (colour, scent), while wind-pollinated flowers are simple enough to be overlooked (plentiful pollen, and light)

Question 8

Distinguishing features of plants: hermaphrodites

Answer 8

Some plants are hermaphrodites (both male and female parts in same flower, or different flowers on same plant), while others are separate sexes

Question 9

Distinguishing features of plants: cross and self pollination

Answer 9

Some plants can only cross-pollinate (pollen transferred to different plant), while others can self-pollinate (pollen transferred to flower on same plant)

Question 10

End product of pollination

Answer 10

FRUIT (mature ovary) – after pollination, the ovary wall develops into the fruit wall (PERICARP, can be fleshy, like plums, apples, etc., or dry like nuts, and grains)