Sexual reproduction In Plants Flashcards
Aleurone Layer
The protein-rich outermost layer of the endosperm that serves as an important enzyme store.
Anther
The pollen-bearing structure of the stamen
Carpel
The female part of the plant consisting of a stigma, a style and an ovary.
Cotyledons
Embryonic seed leaves that emerge following germination.
Cross-pollination
A type of pollination in which pollen is transferred from an anther of one plant to a stigma of a different plant. This results in plants with a greater genetic diversity.
Dehiscense
The splitting of the anther resulting in the release of pollen grains.
Dicotyledons
Plants that produce seeds that contain two cotyledons; they have two primary leaves.
Double fertilisation
Fertilisation of seed plants in which one male gamete fuses with a female gamete to form a diploid zygote and another fuses with two polar nuclei to form a triploid endosperm nucleus.
Endosperm
The food source surrounding the plant embryo.
Endospermic seed
A seed that contains an endosperm when mature e.g maize
Germination
The process by which a plant grows from a seed.
Gibberellin
A plant hormone, which, during germination, induces the synthesis of amylase by aleurone cells, hydrolysing stored nutrients in the endosperm.
Hilum
A scar on the testa as a result of separation from its funicle.
Insect-pollinated flower
A type of flower that relies on insects to transfer pollen grains between flowers.
Micropyle
A pore in the integument of an ovule through which the pollen tube enters the embryo sac. It remains as a pore in the testa.
Non-endospermic seed
A seed that does not contain an endosperm when mature e.g. broad bean. Cotyledons serve as the food source.
Ovary
Part of the carpel that holds the ovules and following fertilisation, develops into the fruit.
Ovule
The part of the ovary that gives rise to and contains the female germ cell. After fertilisation, the ovule becomes the seed.
Petals
Structures that surround the reproductive parts of a flower. They are often brightly coloured and fragrant to attract insects.
Plumule
The part of a plant embryo that develops into the primary shoot.
Pollen grain
A single granule of pollen that contains the male haploid gamete. Grains are small and produced in large number in wind-pollinated plants, whereas they are large and sticky in insect-pollinated animals plants.
Pollination
The deposition of pollen into a stigma from an anther.
Radicle
The part of a plant embryo that develops into the root.
Self-pollination
A type of pollination in which pollen is transferred from an anther of a plant to a stigma of the same plant. This results in plants with less genetic diversity.
Stamen
The male part of the plant consisting of an anther and a filament that is involved in the production of male gametes in the form of pollen grains.
Stigma
The sticky structure of the carpel that receives pollen grains.
Tapetum
A specialised layer of cells within the anther that provide nutrients to developing pollen grains.
Testa
The outer covering of a seed, commonly referred to as the seed coat.
Vicia faba
A species of flowering plant, commonly known as the broad bean, that is cultivated for its nutrient-rich seeds
Wind-pollinated flower
A type of flower that relies on wind to transfer pollen grains between flowers.
