Plant Reproduction Essay

Angiosperms, also called “flowering plants” play a vital role in how our environment

functions. These plants house seeds which are contained within a fruit of some sort. There are

an estimated 352,000 species of flowering plants or angiosperms. The steps in the reproduction

of an angiosperm are quite remarkable and breath taking and are a key component to life on

Earth.

In angiosperms, pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. This

can be accomplished by wind, water or other animals. In wind pollinated species, enormous

amounts of pollen compensate for the randomness of pollen dispersal in the wind. The evolution

of wind- pollinated species usually has resulted in flowers that are often small, green and

inconspicuous, and they produce no nectar or scent. About 20% of all angiosperms are wind

pollinated. At certain times of year, the air is loaded with pollen, triggering allergies that many

people have acqured. If you research and explore flower pollination you will also come to realize

that other animals can pollinate plants. For example, bat pollinated flowers are aromatic,

attracting the nocturnal pollinators. The long nosed bat feeds on the nectar and pollen of cactus

flowers in the United States and in Mexico. In feeding, the bats can transfer pollen from plant to

plant. Similarly, pollen can also be distributed through water. The second step in the

reproduction of an angiosperm is fertilization. Fertilization includes the formation of gametes,

which results in diploid zygotes, which divide by mitosis and form new sporophytes. In

angiosperms, the sporophyte is the dominant generation: it is larger and more conspicuous.

Angiosperm gametophytes are the most reduced of all plants, consisting of solely a few cells.

Following pollination and germination, a process known as “double fertilization” occurs. This is

when two sperm cells unite with different nuclei than the female gametophyte. The purpose of
double fertilization, is ensuring that the endosperm will develop only ovules where the egg has

been fertilized, preventing angiosperms from squandering nutrients. After double fertilization,

each ovule develops into a seed, and the ovary develops into a fruit enclosing the seed. As the

embryo develops from the zygote, the seed stockpiles proteins, oils and starch, depending on

the species. This is the reason why seeds are a major site for sugar use and storage. These

nutrients are then stored in the seeds endosperm. While the seeds are developing from ovules,

the ovary of the flower is developing into a fruit, which protects the enclosed seeds and, when

mature, aids in their dispersal by wind or animals. What causes the ovary to begin transforming

into a fruit is the hormonal changes that are triggered by fertilization. However, if a flower has

not been pollinated, fruit typically does not develop and the entire flower usually dies. During the

process of fruit development, the ovary wall becomes the thickened wall of the fruit. As the

ovary grows, the other parts of the flower usually wither and are shed. For example, the tip of a

pea pod is the withered remains of the pea flower’s stigma. Fruits can be classified into several

groups some including the simple fruits, aggregate fruits and the multiple fruits. Fruit and seed

dispersal can be caused by wind, water, and other animals. For example, a winged seed (a

helicopter) can glide through the air and fall into a completely different location than where it

started. Coconuts can travel by water because it is a buoyant fruit. Animals, such as squirrels

hoard seeds or fruits underground. If an animal forgets about the seeds, it is possible that the

seed could germinate.

Angiosperms experience many evolutionary adaptations that help them to better

succeed in the environment. One adaptation that is beneficial to angiosperms is in the flower.

Flowers differ in the way they look, smell, and taste in order to attract pollinators. For example,

Showy petals or sepals with obvious shape, size, and color for the pollinators vision are critical

and specific signals for the appropriate pollinator. Some pollinators have limited vision but the
ability to find a flower by its fragrance. Plants can produce chemicals that diffuse through the

environment. A pollinator that can recognize an odor and fly up the concentration gradient of

this fragrance, can easily find the next flower of a particular species. The shape of the flower

can also make a flower more attractive. Flowers can also have the adaptation of structure which

may simulate or teach mating behavior. Another adaptation that angiosperms have is the ability

to protect themselves using the fruit of their plant. For example, If you look closely at the stems

and leaves of a zucchini plant, it is covered in translucent thorns. These thorns act as protection

for the plant. The thorns that cover the bottom of the leaves and the entire body of the vines

keep the plant safe from bugs and other predators that would like to eat the green flesh. Another

example of an adaptation is a fruit altering its flavor to protect itself. Fruits and vegetables that

have tannins, or tannic acid, in them, use this compound to protect themselves. The final

adaptation of angiosperms is the way in which they can disperse their seeds. Seeds can be

dispersed through air, water or even by other animals. One example of this (used previously) is

the adaptation of the helicopter. The helicopter is shaped in a way that it has wings, so when it

floats throughout the air it is carried far away to be planted. Water can move more dense seeds

far distances, dispersing them in many different areas. In conclusion, the angiosperms require a

very specific reproduction process to fully carry out their life functions. However, they are

benefited by adaptations that make them “better fit”.