Pollination

• What is Pollination?

  The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma.
• What is Cross-Pollination?


  When the pollen travels from one flower to a flower on a different plant.
• Why is Cross-Pollination desirable?

  It promotes variation in plants.
• What is Self-Pollination?


  When pollen falls from the anther onto the stigma of the same plant.
• What are the advantages of Self-Pollination?

  Genetic stability by keeping good genomes, efficient reproduction.
• What are the disadvantages of Self-Pollination?

  Reduces genetic variation and there is a higher chance of 2 undesirable alleles being brought together.
• Pollen is not a gamete
• Pollination is not fertilisation.
• Each stamen consists of two parts - filament (stalk) and anther (pollen sac).
• The male reproductive organs are called stamens.
• The pistil has three main parts; ovary, style and stigma.
• A flower has both male and female reproductive structures.
• Female reproductive structure is called carpel.