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Bisexual flowers—flowers with both stamens and carpels (e.g. Cassia & Hibiscus)
Unisexual flowers—flowers with either stamens or carpels (e.g. squash plants & maize)
12.2.2 Pollination
Self-pollination: transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of the same flower or to the
stigma of another flower on the same plant
Cross-pollination: transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of a flower on a different plant
of the same species (greater genetic variations than self-pollination because it results in
fusion of gametes of two different parents)
12.2.3 Fertilization
1. Pollen grains land on the stigma of the same species
2. Sugary solution on the stigma stimulates the germination of pollen graindevelops
pollen tube
3. The pollen tube grows down the style and then into the ovary by secreting an enzyme
to digest the tissue of stylemale gamete is carried towards the ovule
4. The pollen tube grows through the micropyle; tip of the pollen tube bursts to release
the male gametes into the ovule
5. The male gamete fuses with the female gamete (ovum) to form a zygote
3. Daughter plants can escape from pests and diseases associated with the parent plants
-after landing on the stigma, pollen grains germinate to form pollen tubes (1)
-which carry the male gametes (1)
-pollen tube grows along the style towards the ovary to reach the ovule (1)
-the male gametes will be released to fuse with the female gametes in the ovule (1)
2. Give two reasons to explain why farmers prefer to grow the plant from its tubers
rather than employing sexual reproduction. {CE 98 3b}
4. In a genetic experiment, a scientist wanted to ensure that the stigma of a pea flower
only received the pollen grains of another pea flower. Suggest how the scientist could
achieve this by making use of a plastic bag and a brush. {CE 00 2c, CE 08 9a}
-Remove the anthers from the flower before they are mature (1)
-Use a brush to dust pollen grains of another pea flower onto the stigma of this
flower (1)
-Cover the flower with a plastic bag to prevent further pollination (1)
5. Give two advantages of vegetative propagation over the propagation using seeds. {CE
02 1a}
Reproduction (★★★★+)