Journal Questions Colwyn Sleep

1. Which parts of the flowers are important in pollination? Describe the function of the parts and the process that occurs in pollination.

Some parts of the flower are more important for pollination. The male reproductive sexual structures, the “Anther” and “Filament”, (known collectively as the “Stamen”) play an important role in the production and dispersal of the pollen. The Anther produces pollen, (the male gametophyte) , and the Filament supports the Anther, holding it upright so that it may be brushed against by pollinators as they collect nectar. Because of the pollinators, the flower’s petals also play an important role in pollination. Their bright colours and individual patterns help to attract specific pollinators such as hummingbirds or bees to the flower.

2. Which parts of the flowers are involved in fertilization and fruit development?

Some parts of the flower are more important for fertilization and fruit development. The female reproductive sexual structures, the “Stigma,” “Style,” and “Ovary,” known collectively as the “Carpel” play an important role in receiving the pollen for fertilization to occur. The Stigma is the tip of the Style, and is sticky to attract and hold pollen. The Style holds the Stigma up and provides the connection to the Ovary where a pollen tube can form. The Ovary holds the “Ovule” which, when fertilized will develop into a mature seed. The mature Ovary is a fruit which envelops and protect the seed.

3. Many types of flowers produce fruits that are fragrant and sweet tasting. Describe how these characteristic of fruits may be important for dispersal.

Flowers that produce sweet tasting fruits help to increase the dispersal of their seeds by offering food to an animal. The animal will eat the fruit containing the seeds of the plant, and then deposit them in a new location, along with some manure to assist with growth, in a new location. By having the animals consume a fruit containing the seeds, the plant can let the animal do the job of transporting the seeds to a new location. In this sense the plant is not entirely reliant on the wind to disperse the seeds.

4. Many types of flowers are brightly coloured, fragrant and produce sweet nectar. Describe how these characteristics affect the process of pollination.

Bright colours, fragrant scents, and sweet nectar are some of the ways a flower is able to attract potential pollinators. The colours and patters on the petal, as well as the fragrance the flower produces help to display and identify the flower so that a specific type of pollinator may recognize it as a potential food source. The sweet nectar is the food source the flower produces, and “offers” to the pollinator as a reward in exchange for pollination. Flowers that reply on hummingbirds for pollination must produce larger amounts of nectar than those which rely on insects such as bees so identification and attraction of the correct pollinators can be important. Journal Questions Colwyn Sleep

5. Most species of plants produces flowers containing both stamen and pistils. Why is producing flowers with both male and female reproductive structures an advantage for plant?

By producing both male and female structures, flowers have specific advantages. Some plants are able to self-fertilize, using their own pollen to fertilize their own egg. This is advantageous in that it does not rely on a pollinator to carry the male gametophyte over a large distance. The pollinator can simply brush pollen around the area. Wind could also help to disperse the pollen within the flower, aiding in fertilization. Another advantage of each flower producing both male and female reproductive organs is that it increases the overall number of reproductive organisms within a population. Each flower being able to produce a male gametophyte, as well as receive one and become fertilized, increases the chances for reproduction to occur.

Parts of a Flower

Name of Flower Description Function Part

Anther oval-shaped produces the male structure that gametophyte, produces pollen, pollen located structure on the end of the filament Filament a stalk-like structure Supports and that attaches to the elevates the anther base of the flower Ovary Swollen base of the Holds the ovule pistil. The mature ovary is a fruit.

Ovule Located inside the ovule that, when Ovary. fertilized, will develop into a seed Petals Colourful, leaf-like Attract insects and parts other pollinators to the flower. Pistil Consists of the The female stigma, style, ovary, reproductive part of and ovule. the flower

Sepals Leaflike parts Protect and enclose around the base of the flower during its the flower bud stage Stigma Sticky tip of the Where pollen grains pistil land Style Stalk-like part of the Connects the pistil stigma to the ovary. Provides the location for the pollen tube to grow

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