BIOLOGY .

XII
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Chapter
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

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BIOLOGY . XII Chapter
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01. STAMENS 02. CARPELS | PISTILS

: Stamens are the functional units of : Carpels or Pistils are the functional units of
Androecium. Gynoecium.

: Each Stamen consist of : Each Pistil consist of

Filament : Long and slender stalk
Anther : Terminal functional part
: Anther is Bilobed and Dithecous.
( Each lobe is with two thecae )
Stigma : Landing platform for pollengrains
Style : Elongated slender part
Ovary : Basal bulged part.
: Cavity within the ovary is called Locule.

: Anther is tetragonal in outline and contains
four Microsporangia.
: Pollengrains or Microspores are produced
within these microsporangia.
: Mature microsporangia which are packed
with pollengrains are called Pollen Sacs.
: Ovules or Megasporangia are seen inside
the locule and are connected to ovary wall
by means of Placenta.
: Megasporangium is the area from where
Megaspores or Embryo sacs are produced.

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03. MICROSPORANGIUM 04. MEGASPORANGIUM

: Microsporangium is circular in outline and : Megasporangium is connected to placenta

covered over by four wall layers called by a stalk called Funicle.
Anther Walls.
: Junction between funicle and ovule is called
: Anther walls are Hilum.
Epidermis, Endothecium,
: Each ovule is covered by envelops called
Middle Layers and Tapetum.
Integuments.
: Epidermis, Endothecium and Middle Layers
: The Outer and Inner Integuments enclose
are protective in function.
Nucellus which have abundant food reserves.
: Tapetum contains binucleated cells with
: Megaspore or Embryosac is produced
dense cytoplasm which nourishes the
within the nucellus.
developing pollengrains.
: Opening at the tip of the ovule is Micropyle.
: At the centre of young microsporangium
compactly arranged Sporogenous tissue is : Basal portion of ovule is called Chalaza.
occupied.

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05. MICROSPOROGENESIS
: Microsporogenesis refers to the formation of
Microspores within the Microsporangia of
Anthers.
: Diploid cells of Sporogenous tissue develops
first into Microspore Mother Cells or
Pollen Mother Cells ( PMC )
: PMC undergoes meiosis producing
Microspore Tetrads ( Angular Tetrads )
each consisting of a cluster of four haploid
cells.
: As the anthers mature and dehydrate,
they dissociate from each other and develop
into Pollengrains which are then released
by the dehiscence of anthers.
ABC by NK Advanced Bio Classes by Narayan Kumar | 94 95 66 66 50
Chapter
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
06. MEGASPOROGENESIS
: Megasporogenesis refers to the formation of
Megaspores within the Megasporangia of
Carpels.
: Ovules generally contain a single
Megaspore Mother Cell ( MMC ) within the
nucellus near the micropylar end.
: MMC undergoes meiosis producing
Megaspore Tetrads ( Linear Tetrads )
each consisting of a cluster of four haploid
cells.
: Of these only one cell will mature into
Megaspore or Embryo sac and the other
three degenerate..
: This kind of Embryo sac formation is called
Monosporic Development.
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05. POLLENGRAIN
: Pollengrain represents the
Male Gametophyte.
: Each pollengrain is covered two walls
Outer wall : Exine : Harder and Porous layer
made up of Sporopollenin.
Inner wall : Intine : Thin and Non porous
layer made up of Pecto Cellulose.
: Apertures on exine are called Germ pores.
: During maturation each pollengrain contains
Vegetative Cell : Bigger cell with abundant
food reserves.
Generative Cell : Smaller cell which floats in
the cytoplasm of vegetative cell.
: Generative cell later divides producing two
Microgametes ( Male gametes )
: Thus a fully mature pollengrain has 3 cells
and 3 nuclei. All of them are haploid.
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Chapter
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
06. EMBRYOSAC
: Embryo Sac represents the
Female Gametophyte.
: The nucleus of megaspore divides thrice
producing Eight Nucleated structure.
: Three nuclei can be seen at the chalazal pole,
which later form cells called Antipodals.
: Two nuclei remain at the centre of the central
cell and are called Polar Nuclei.
: Three nuclei can be seen at the micropylar
pole, which later form cells and produce
Egg Apparatus.
: Egg Apparatus consists of One Egg cell and
Two Synergid cells.
: Thus typical Angiosperm Embryo Sac is
Eight nucleate and Seven celled.
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07. POLLEN ALLERGY
: Pollengrains of some species may cause
severe allergies and bronchial problems
leading to disorders such as
Asthma, Bronchitis etc.
Eg: Parthenium or Carrot Grass
08. POLLEN BANKS
: Storage of pollengrains of number of species
in liquid nitrogen at -196oC .
: This is considered a method of
Cryopreservation.
: Stored pollengrains called Pollen Banks and
are used in plant breeding programs.
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Chapter
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
09. POLLEN VIABILITY
: The period for which pollengrains retain their
efficiency even after they are released form
anthers is called Pollen Viability.
: Pollen Viability varies in different plants.
Egs: Rice, Wheat etc. -30 minutes
Rosaceae, Leguminoseae and
Solanaece. - Many months.
10. POLLEN TABLETS
: Pollengrains are rich in nutrients and are
hence used as food supplements in the form
of Tablets or Syrups.
: These pollen supplements are used to impove
performance of race horses and athletes.
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11. POLLINATION

: Pollination means the process of transfer of pollengrains from anthers to stigma.

: Based on the source of pollen, there can be

Autogamy Transfer of pollengrains from anthers of one flower to the stigma of the
same flower. Possible only when the flowers are Bisexual.
Geitonogamy Transfer of pollengrains from anthers of one flower to the stigma of another
flower of the same plant. Possible only when the plants are Monoeciuos.
Xenogamy Transfer of pollengrains from anthers of one flower to the stigma of another
flower of another plant. Possible in all kinds of flowers & all kinds of plants.

: Chasmogamous flowers :
Flowers that open up during maturity and henceanthers and stigma will be exposed.
Eg. Rose, Papaya etc.

: Cleistogamous flowers :
Flowers that never open up and hence anthers and stigma remain concealed.
Eg. Oxalis, Commelina etc.

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12. WIND POLLINATION
: Pollengrains are light, dry,
non sticky and are
produced in large nos.
: Well exposed stamens and
large and feathery stigma.
: Single ovule in each ovary
and numerous flowers are
packed together forming
inflorescences.
: Flowers are less
conspicuous, colourless,
nectarless and scentless.
Eg. Grasses
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Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
13. WATER POLLINATION
: Pollengrains are long,
ribbon like, free floating
and are protected by
mucilagenous coat.
: Female flowers are usually
seen at the surface of
water.
: Male flowers are usually
submerged.
: Flowers are less
conspicuous, colourless,
nectarless and scentless.
Eg. Hydrilla, Sea grasses
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14. ANIMAL POLLINATION
: Pollengrains are sticky, oily
and with characteristic
spines or hooks.
: In some cases pollengrains
are edible.
: Provide safe places for
breeding and egg laying.
: Flowers are large,
colourful, fragrant and
rich in nectar
: They usually offer
Floral Rewards
to pollinators
Eg. Orchids
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15. ARTIFICIAL HYBRIDISATION

: Artificial Hybridisation refers to the controlled breeding processes by which only desired type of
pollengrains are used for pollination and the stigma is protected from contamination by unwanted
pollengrains.

: This is one of the major approaches of Crop Improvement Programme.

: Various stages of artificial hybridisation are as follows :

Emasculation : Removal of anthers from a bisexual flower before its maturity.

This is to prevent the chances of autogamy.

Bagging : Covering of emasculated flower by using a bag of polythene or

butter paper. This is to prevent contamination by unwantedpollens

Pollen Dusting : Dusting of desired pollen grains on the stigmatic surface after
removing the bag.

Re bagging : Bagging the flower after pollen dusting.

This is also to prevent contamination by unwanted pollens.

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16. DOUBLE FERTILISATION

: Fusion of one Microgamete with Megagamete by Syngamy, resulting in the formation of

diploid Zygote.

Syngamy
Microgamete (n) + Megagamete (n) = Zygote (2n)

: Fusion of two polar nuclei with each other resulting in the formation of a diploid
Secondary Nucleus.

Polar nucleus (n) + Polar nucleus (n) = Secondary nucleus (2n)

: Fusion of one Microgamete with Secondary Nucleus by Triple Fusion, resulting in the
formation of triploid PEN.

Triple Fusion
Microgamete (n) + Secondary nucleus (2n) = PEN (3n)

: The process is called Double Fertilisation because of Syngamy and Triple Fusion.

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17. DEVELOPMENT OF ENDOSPERM
: Triploid PEN undergoes continued nuclear
divisions and the daughter nuclei get
scattered in the cytoplasm of PEC.
This is Free Nuclear Endosperm.
: Then each daughter nuclei get converted into
cells by cell wall formation.
This is Cellular Endosperm.
: This cellular endosperm serves as
nourishment for the conversion of zygote into
embryo.
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Chapter
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
18. DEVELOPMENT OF EMBRYO
: Zygote undergoes early embryonic divisions
by consuming endosperm.
: Various intermediate stages of embryo
formation include
Pro Embryo, Globular Embryo,
Heart shaped Embryo and
Mature Embryo or Embryonal Axis.
: Mature Embryo is called Embryonal Axis
which contains one or two Cotyledons.
: Embryonal axis consists of Epicotyl and
Hypocotyl with their meristematic tips called
Plumule and Radicle respectively.
: Plumule later develops into shoot system,
Radicle later develops into root system.
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19. DEVELOPMENT OF SEEDS
: Seeds are the fully mature and fertilised
ovules.
: Components of a seed include
Seed Coats : Outer Testa and Inner Tegmen
Embryonal Axis : with Plumule and Radicle
Cotyledons : Unpaired in monocots and
Paired in dicots.
: Endospermous or Albuminous seeds have
remnant endosperm inside.
Eg. Wheat, Maize etc.
: Non endospermous or Exalbuminous seeds
have no remnant endosperm inside.
Eg. Pea, Ground nut etc.
: Apart from these, some seeds may have
remnant nucellus present and is called
Perisperm
Eg. Black Pepper
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Chapter
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20. DEVELOPMENT OF FRUITS
. Fruits are the fully ripened ovaries.
. Fruit wall is called Pericarp which is
differentiated into outer Epicarp, middle
Mesocarp and inner Endocarp.
. Fruits are classified based on the nature of
pericarp into
Fleshy Fruits : Eg. Guava, Orange
Dry Fruits : Eg. Mustard, Ground nut
. Fruits developing from the ovary are called
True Fruits.
Eg. Guava, Orange, Mango etc.
. Fruits developing from any part other than
the ovary are called False Fruits.
Eg. Apple, Straw berry etc.
. Fruits produced without fertilisation are
called Parthenocarpic fruits.
Eg. Banana. 12
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21. APOMIXIS
: Production of seeds without
undergoing fertilisation is
called Apomixis
Eg. Some members of
Asteraceae and Poaceae
: Apomixis is considered as
asexual reproduction
that mimics sexual
reproduction.
: Apomixis is very much
useful in the production of
hybrid seeds.
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Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
22. POLYEMBRYONY 23. SEED DORMANCY
: Occurrence of more than : The period of inactivity of
one embryo in a seed is the embryo within a seed
Polyembryony. is called Seed Dormancy.
Eg. Citrus and Mango : Seed germination occurs
only when the seed
: Polyembryony is due to the
dormancy is broken.
fact that some of the
nucellar cells project into : Egs. of unusual
the embryo sac and act as Seed Dormancy
embryos. Lupinus arcticus
10,000 years
Phoenix dactylifera
2,000 years
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