OBJECTIVES

➔ Relate the parts of a flower to their functions.

➔ Compare the structure of an insect pollinated flower and a wind

pollinated flower.

➔ Distinguish between the processes of pollination and fertilization.

➔ Explain how fruit and seed formation occur after fertilization.

➔ Discuss seed dispersal

 STRUCTURE OF
A FLOWER

Part of flower Function

Gynaecium Produces and contains the female
gametes. Includes stigma, style,
ovary (Carpel)

Androecium Produces and contains male

gametes. Includes filament and
anther (Stamen)

Corolla Attracts pollinators, such as insects,

to the flower

Calyx Protects the flower in the bud stage

Receptacle Holds the flower then the fruit/seed

Pollination
 ★ Self and cross pollination

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of
a flower. Self pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to
the stigma of the same plant. Cross pollination is the transfer of pollen
grains from the anther of one plant, to the stigma of another plant of the
same species.
As a result, agents of pollination are necessary for the successful
transfer of pollen grains. These include wind, insects and some birds.

WIND VS INSECT POLLINATED FLOWERS

Feature of Flower Insect Pollinated Flowers Wind Pollinated Flowers

Position of stamens Enclosed within flower so that Exposed so that wind can
insect must make contact easily blow pollen away

Position of stigma Enclosed within flower so that Exposed to catch pollen

insect must make contact blowing in the wind

Type of stigma Sticky so pollen grains attach from Feathery, to catch pollen
insects grains blowing in the wind

Size of petals Large to attract insects Small

Colour of petals Brightly coloured to attract insects Not brightly coloured

Nectaries Present - reward for insects Absent

Pollen grains Small, sticky grains to stick to Larger, inflated grains to carry
insects in the wind
 Fertilization in flowering plants
★ How does fertlization occur?

Pollination takes place. Pollen grains germinate - absorbs water and

nutrients, swells and grows a pollen tube.The Pollen tube, with a tube
nucleus at the tip, secretes a digestive enzyme which digests a path
down the style to the ovary. Two male nuclei are present and travel
down the pollen tube.The pollen tube grows to the micropyle, releasing
the two male nuclei into the embryo sac. One nucleus fuses with the
egg to form a diploid zygote, the other fuses with an endosperm nucleus
(polar nuclei) to form a triploid endosperm. This process is called double
fertilization.
 Seed and Fruit Development

After fertilization, each ovule develops into a seed. The zygote divides by
mitosis forming the embryo which develops into three parts:

● Radicle: The plant's developing root system. When a seed germinates,

this is the portion of the embryo that emerges first. Growing downward,
the radicle anchors the seedling in the ground and takes in nutrients
and water from it.

● Plumule: This is the embryonic shoot of the plant. It is the part of the embryo
that gives rise to the above-ground parts of the plant, including the stem,
leaves, and eventually, flowers and fruits. The plumule emerges from the seed
after germination and grows upward, towards the light.

● Hypocotyl: The area of the embryo between the radicle and the plumule is
known as the hypocotyl. It is the plant's embryonic stem and helps the
plumule emerge from the seed during germination. It also acts as a link
between the growing plant's root and shoot systems.
■
After fertilization, the ovary wall develops into the fruit. The number of seeds
present depends on the number of ovules in the original ovary. The stigma,
style, stamens and petals wither and drop off. The sepals may or may not fall
off.

Fruits
Fruits protect the developing seeds and they help to disperse seeds. The wall
of the fruit is known as the pericarp and may be composed on three layers:
● The exocarp (epicarp) or outer layer
● The mesocarp or middle part
● The endocarp or inner layer
There are two types of fruits:
● Succulent (fleshy) fruits - One or more layers of the
pericarp are fleshy and juicy
● Dry fruits - The pericarp is thin and dry
Methods of seed dispersal
● Dispersal by animals : Succulent fruits contain stored food which
attracts animals to eat them. Dry fruits develops hooks that attach the
fruits onto the fur of animals.
● Dispersal by water : Some succulent fruits develop a waterproof
exocarp and become buoyant so they can float on water, e.g. coconut
● Dispersal by mechanical means : Some dry fruits split along lines of
weakness and eject their seeds, e.g. pigeon pea
● Dispersal by wind : Some small dry fruits develop one or more wing-
like extensions. Others develop hair-like extensions that form a
parachute. These provide a large surface area to help the wind carry
the fruits or seeds.