Plant Reproduction Methods

Reproduction in Plants

• Plants need to reproduce to pass on their genes to future generations through either sexual or asexual reproduction
• Sexual reproduction requires genetic material (DNA) from two parents, combining to produce offspring through fertilization

Sexual Reproduction in Plants

• Parent plants have male and female sex cells, called gametes
• Genetic material from male and female gametes combines to produce offspring through fertilization
• Seeds produced through fertilization contain genetic material from both parents, making offspring genetically diverse

Flowers and Pollination

• Flowers contain male sex organs called stamens and female sex organs called pistils
• The anther contains pollen, which contains male gametes
• Pollen must be moved to the stigma for reproduction to take place

Structure of a Flower

• Sepals are green structures that protect the flower before it opens
• Petals are modified leaves, usually colourful, and located within the sepals
• Stamens contain a filament topped by pollen-producing cells
• Carpels contain the ovary, where eggs or ovules are located

Pollination

• Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from a plant's anther to its stigma, allowing for fertilization and seed production
• Types of pollination include self-pollination and cross-pollination
• Cross-pollination helps maintain genetic diversity, which aids adaptation to changing conditions

Agents of Pollination

• Pollinators include insects like bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles
• Some birds, like hummingbirds, and mammals, like bats and rodents, also transfer pollen between plants
• Colors and smells of flowers attract pollinators, causing pollen to stick to their bodies

Fertilization and Fruit Production

• Fertilization occurs when male gametes from pollen join with female gametes in the egg
• Fertilization creates fruit that contain seeds, which can be fleshy or dry
• Fruits are an attractive food source for animals, allowing seeds to disperse and take root in new locations

Learn about the ways plants reproduce, including sexual and asexual reproduction, and how they produce seeds. Understand the role of genetic material and fertilization in plant reproduction.