1. Plant Reproduction
Angiosperms

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

4. 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

5. 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)

7. Flower Dissection Lab

9. National Geographic March 2011
Pollinators
National Geographic
March 2011

10. 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?