SEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF PLANTS

Reproduction is one of the characteristics of life. It is a biological process in which new individual organisms are
produced.

Sexual Reproduction- involves the union of gametes (egg cell and sperm cell) through fertilization.

The flower plays a major role in sexual reproduction as it houses the structure for this process.

Parts of Flower:
* Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers.
* Sepal is a defensive organ that encloses and protects the developing reproductive structures.
* Stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower, typically consisting of pollen- containing anther and
filament.
* Carpel is the female reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of a stigma, style and ovary.

Process of Sexual Reproduction

First, egg cells and sperm cells are developed from particular reproductive organ. Through pollination, two
sperm cells are delivered to the ovules which fertilizes an egg cell and the endosperm, creating a process called
double fertilization. The union of the sperm cells and egg cells, which both contains half the genetic materials
of the parent, allows the creation of a possible organism with the same set or number of genetic material. If
fertilization is successful, the seed will develop with the corresponding embryo, endosperm and seed coat. It
will then be prepared for dispersal and germination.