15 Questions
What is the primary function of the stigma in a flower?
To receive pollen for fertilization
What is the term for the female reproductive system in a flower?
Gynoecium
What is the sticky bulb at the top of the style called?
Stigma
What is the individual female reproductive organ composed of?
Ovary, style, and stigma
What is the term for the group of pistils in a flower?
Gynoecium
Where is the stigma typically located in a flower?
On top of the style
What is the purpose of the style in a flower?
To connect the stigma to the ovary
What is the primary function of the filaments in a plant?
To hold up the anthers
What is the purpose of pollen discrimination in flowers?
To recognize and reject incompatible pollen
Why do some plants have a longer style?
To allow for more room to move in the breeze
What is the function of the stigmatic papillae?
To receive pollen
What is the result of successful fertilization in a plant?
The formation of seeds
Why is the stigma of a flower sticky?
To capture pollen from the wind or insects
What is the purpose of the waxy or sticky surface of the stigma?
To capture and facilitate the movement of pollen
What is the function of the style in a plant?
To move pollen down into the pistil and ovaries
Study Notes
Structure of a Flower
- Flowers have either a female reproductive system, a male reproductive system, or both.
- The female and male parts can be on the same plant or on different plants.
- The stigma is part of the female reproductive system, located in the center of a flower.
Stigma
- A stigma is a sticky bulb on top of the style, a thin stalk or stem.
- Stigmas can be large or small, and vary in shape, size, and color.
- The stigma is covered with stigmatic papillae, cells that receive pollen.
Functions of Stigma
- The stigma catches pollen transferred by wind or insects, such as bees and butterflies.
- The pollen is pulled down through the style and into the pistil, where fertilization occurs.
- The stigma helps to move pollen through the process by rehydrating dry pollen.
- Fertilization occurs in the ovaries, leading to the formation of seeds.
Adaptations of Stigma
- Over time, the stigma has become stickier to increase pollen capture.
- The style has become stronger to hold the stigma in place.
- Some plants have longer styles to allow the stigma to move in the wind.
- Stigmas come in different shapes and sizes, depending on pollinators and environment.
Stickiness of Stigma
- The stigma is sticky to help hold onto pollen from wind or insects.
- The stickiness also helps to move pollen down through the style.
- The moisture on the stigma rehydrates dry pollen, facilitating fertilization.
Variations of Stigma
- Sessile stigmas are on flowers with extremely short styles or no style at all.
- Some stigmas have three lobes that transfer pollen to facilitate fertilization.
- Stigmas can be tall and feathery, with a large surface area for catching wind-blown pollen.
Learn about the different reproductive systems in flowers, including those with male and female parts, and the role of the stigma in plant fertilization.
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