Plant Reproduction and Flower Anatomy

• Pollination facilitates seed production in plants.
• Pollination occurs when pollen transfers between flower parts.
• Seeds develop into new plants.
• Plants rely on pollination for reproduction.

Parts of a Flower

• Flowers are composed of various parts.
• Essential components include petals, sepals, pistil, and stamen.
• Petals often have bright colors that attract pollinators.
• Sepals are small leaves located under the flower, protecting the bud.
• The pistil constitutes the female part of the flower.
• The stamen constitutes the male part of the flower.

Pollen

• Pollen is a powdery substance produced by the stamen.
• Pollen must reach the pistil for seed formation.
• Pollen grains must be transferred to the pistil's stigma for fertilization.

The Pistil

• The pistil contains three parts: stigma, style, and ovary.
• The stigma has a sticky surface to capture pollen.
• The style is a tube connecting the stigma to the ovary.
• The ovary houses ovules, which become seeds upon fertilization.

The Stamen

• The stamen is composed of two parts: anther and filament.
• The anther produces pollen.
• The filament supports the anther.

How Pollination Happens

• Pollination occurs through the movement of pollen from the stamen to the pistil.
• Pollinators aid in pollen transfer.
• Pollen can also be moved through wind and water.

Pollinators

• Pollinators are animals that aid in pollen transfer from flower to flower.
• Common pollinators are bees, butterflies, birds, and bats.
• Pollinators are attracted by the bright colors and sweet smells of flowers.
• Pollinators inadvertently collect and transfer pollen grains while visiting flowers for nectar or pollen.

Bees

• Bees are important pollinators.
• They gather nectar and pollen to nourish themselves and their offspring.
• Bees have fuzzy bodies that readily collect pollen.
• Bees facilitate pollination by moving from flower to flower, spreading pollen.

Butterflies

• Butterflies are drawn to brightly colored flowers.
• They have long, straw-like tongues called proboscis to drink nectar.
• As they feed, pollen adheres to their bodies and is transported to other flowers.

Birds

• Certain birds such as hummingbirds are pollinators.
• They consume nectar from flowers.
• They use their long tongues and beaks to access nectar.
• Pollen sticks to their feathers and is transported to other flowers.

Bats

• Some bats act as pollinators, especially in tropical regions.
• They visit flowers during the night.
• They are drawn to flowers with strong scents.
• Pollen adheres to their fur as they feed.

Wind Pollination

• Certain plants depend on wind for pollination.
• These plants usually have small, inconspicuous flowers.
• They produce copious amounts of pollen easily carried by the wind.
• Grasses and some trees are examples.

Water Pollination

• Some aquatic plants depend on water for pollination.
• Pollen is discharged into the water and conveyed to other flowers.
• This is less prevalent than wind or animal pollination.

After Pollination

• Following pollination, the ovules in the ovary develop into seeds.
• The ovary matures into a fruit.
• The fruit provides protection for the seeds.
• Animals aid in seed dispersal by consuming the fruit.
• Seeds can also be spread by wind or water.

Seeds

• Seeds contain a small plant referred to as an embryo.
• Seeds contain a food reserve to aid the plant's growth.
• Seeds require water, sunlight, and warmth for germination.
• Germination is the process by which a seed begins to grow.

Growing New Plants

• Seeds can be sown in soil.
• Given water, warmth, and sunlight, seeds will sprout.
• The plant will develop roots, stems, and leaves.
• The plant will eventually produce flowers.
• The pollination cycle starts again.

Learn about plant reproduction through pollination. Explore flower anatomy, including petals, sepals, pistil, and stamen, and their roles in seed production. Understand pollen transfer and fertilization processes.