Plant Reproduction Angiosperms

Flower – Primary unit of angiosperm reproduction 5 Parts of a flower (refer to handout) Receptacle Sepals Petals Stamen Anther & filament Pistil Stigma, Style & Ovary

Pollination The transfer of pollen from the anther to a stigma of a flower of the same species by wind or animal 2 Types Cross Pollination – transfer of pollen from 1 plant to another of the same species Self-pollination – transfer of pollen from one flower to another on the same plant

Fertilization Steps: Union of gametes (pollen & ovule) Pollen grain lands on stigma A pollen tube grows from the stigma down the style and into the ovary The sperm then travels down the tube into the ovary where it fuses with the ovule The zygote (baby plant) begins to develop & will eventually form a seed (the ovary will develop into the fruit)

Flower Dissection Lab

National Geographic March 2011 Pollinators National Geographic March 2011

Discussion Questions Why are pollinators having trouble keeping up with modern day farms? Why do so many honeybees tend to disappear over the winter? (Hint: it’s not the cold) What solutions are offered for increasing bee populations? What would be the result of an extreme decrease in bee populations?