Topic D- Plant Reproduction

Question 1

describe the structures of an insect-pollinated flower and explain how each is adapted for pollination

Answer 1

• large, brightly coloured petals - to attract insects
• often sweetly scented - to attract insects
• usually contain nectar - to attract insects
• moderate quantity of pollen - less wastage than with wind pollination
• pollen often sticky or spiky - to stick to insects
• anthers firm and inside flower - to brush against insects
• stigma inside the flower - so that the insect brushes against it
• stigma has sticky coating - pollen sticks to it

Question 2

describe the structues of a wind pollinated flower and explain how is adapted for pollination

Answer 2

• small petals, often brown or dull green - no need to attract insects
• no scent - no need to attract insects
• no nectar - no need to attract insects
• pollen produced in great quantities - because most does not reach another flower
• pollen very light and smooth - so it can be blown in the wind and stops it clumping together
• anthers loosely attached and dangle out - to release pollen into the wind
• stigma hangs outside the flower - to catch the drifting pollen
• stigma feathery or net like - to catch the drifting pollen

Question 3

what is pollination?

Answer 3

• transfer pollen from the anther to the stigma ( insect pollination) or wind pollination

Question 4

what is fertilization?

Answer 4

• the joining of a pollen grain with an egg cell ( in the ovary)

Question 5

what is sexuall reproduction?

Answer 5

• generation of new individuals through production of pollen and eggs ( to create genetic diversity)

Question 6

what is a clone?

Answer 6

• A clone is a group of cells or organisms which are genetically identical to each other.

Question 7

how do plants reproduce asexually?

Answer 7

• runners - e.g. strawberry, spider plant
• tubers - e.g. potatoes, dahlias
• Humans are able to propagate plants by artificial propagation. Taking cuttingsand grafting are the methods of artificial propagation which you need to know. They are a quick way of propagating large numbers of identical plants.
• Plants which are produced in these ways are genetically identical to each other and to the parent; a group like this is called a clone.