LESSON 1

• Reproduction - is an essential process for the survival and continuation of life.
• Both plants and animals have developed unique reproductive systems to ensure the production of offspring.
• Flowers - are the reproductive structures of plants. - They contain male and female reproductive organs
• The male reproductive organs in plants are called stamens
• Each stamen consists of a filament and an anther
• The anther produces pollen grains, which contain the male gametes
• The female reproductive organs in plants are called pistils or carpels.
• Each pistil consists of an ovary, a style, and a stigma.
• The ovary contains ovules, which are the female gametes.
• Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma.
• Pollination can occur through various means, such as wind, water, or animal pollinators.
• Fertilization - After pollination, the pollen grain germinates on the stigma and grows a pollen tube down the style to reach the ovary.
• The male gametes then fertilize the ovules, resulting in the formation of seeds
• Seed Dispersal - Once the seeds are formed, they need to be dispersed to new locations for germination.
• Animals have diverse reproductive strategies, ranging from external fertilization to internal fertilization.
• The gonads in animals are the primary reproductive organs.
• In males, the gonads are the testes, which produce sperm.
• In females, the gonads are the ovaries, which produce eggs.
• Animals produce specialized reproductive cells called gametes
• Fertilization in animals can occur internally or externally.
• Internal fertilization - occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg inside the female's body.
• External fertilization - occurs when the sperm and eggs are released into the environment, and fertilization occurs outside the body
• Development - After fertilization, the zygote develops into an embryo.
• The embryo undergoes further development, either inside the female's body (viviparity) or outside the female's body (oviparity)
• Some animals provide parental care to their offspring, ensuring their survival and growth.
• Structural Differences - Plant reproductive systems are typically contained within flowers, while animal reproductive systems are internal.
• Gamete Production - Plants produce pollen grains and ovules as their gametes, while animals produce sperm and eggs
• Fertilization - Plants undergo fertilization after pollination, while animals can undergo internal or external fertilization.
• Seed vs. Embryo Development - Plants produce seeds as a result of fertilization, while animals develop embryos.
• Parental Care - While some animals provide parental care, plants do not exhibit parental care towards their offspring