Reproduction in plants

• Asexual reproduction


  The process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
• Asexual reproduction


  • Quicker
  • Only one parent required
  • Good characteristics of parent passed on to offspring
  • No dispersal or seed formation
• Disadvantages of asexual reproduction


  • Little to no variation amongst offspring
  • Offspring not adapted to changing environments
  • Lack of dispersal can lead to competition for resources
• Sexual reproduction


  A process involving the fusion of two gametes to form a zygote, producing genetically different offspring
• Advantages of sexual reproduction

  • Produces variation
  • Increases adaptability to changing environments
  • Seed dispersal reduces competition
• Disadvantages of sexual reproduction


  • Slower process
  • Requires two parents
• Main structures of a flower


  • Carpel (stigma, style, ovary)
  • Stamen (anther, filament)
  • Sepals
  • Petals
  • Stalk
• Pollination


  The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma
• Types of pollination


  • Insect pollination
  • Wind pollination
• Insect pollinated flowers


  • Have petals to attract insects
  • Stamens are inside the flower
  • Stigma is inside the flower
• Wind pollinated flowers


  • No petals
  • Stamens are outside the flower
  • Stigma is large and feathery
• Pollen


  The male gamete
• Pollen in insect pollinated flowers


  • Produced in smaller amounts
  • Sticky and spiky to adhere to insects
• Pollen in wind pollinated flowers


  • Produced in larger amounts
  • Smooth and light to be carried by wind
• Pollination


  Pollen transferred from anther to stigma
• Self-pollination

  Pollen from anther transferred to stigma of same plant