Asexual Reproduction in Plants Plantlets Tiny plants grow along the edges of a plant’s leaves Tubers Underground stems (Example – Potato) Runners Above ground stems (Example – Strawberry)

Reproduction in Seed Plants Seed plant reproduction: Gymnosperms Reproductive structures called cones Have male and female cones Male gametophytes = pollen (contains sperm) Female gametophytes produce eggs Wind transfers pollen so that fertilization occurs. Seeds form from fertilized eggs

Angiosperms Gametophytes are within flowers Anther (male reproductive structure) Stigma (female reproductive structure) Pollination – pollen is moved from the anthers to stigmas Wind or animals usually help move pollen Pollen lands on the stigma then a tube forms allowing the pollen to travel to an ovule to fertilize it

From flower to Fruit After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed (contains young plant) Ovary, which surrounds the ovule, becomes a fruit (which protects the seed) Seeds are dispersed by wind, animals eating the fruit (and seeds) and releasing them in other places as wastes, or getting caught in the animal’s fur (such as burrs)

From Seed to Plant To sprout, most plants need: Water Air Warm temperatures