PLANT REPRODUCTION

Plants Reproductive Structures

• Cones: Gymnosperms– Female cones contain the ovules

which contains the egg cell– Male cones contain pollen which are

like sperm cells

• Flowers: Angiosperms– Pistil: female part of flower– Stamen: Male part of flower

Pollination

• Insects visit flowers to search

for nectar – their food.

• But the flowers use the insects for their own purposes!

• As the insect probes for nectar, its body rubs against the stamens.

• Pollen gets stuck on the insect’s legs.

• You can often see bees with a heavy load of yellow pollen on their hind legs.

Pollination

When the insect visits another flower of the same type, the pollen will stick to the pistal.

This is called

pollination.

Fertilization

The pollen travels to the ovary, where it joins with an ovule.

This is called

fertilization.

Seeds

• Seeds: the fertilized egg

• Seed Structure:– Seed coat:

protects plant– Young plant– stored food

Types of Seeds

Types of Seeds

Seeds

• The seeds develop inside the ovary, which grows to become the seed pod or fruit.

Seed Dispersal

• The seeds are dispersed by:– Animals– Wind– Explosion – Water