Plant Reproduction
*Modifications in reproduction were key
adaptations enabling plants to spread into
a variety of terrestrial habitats.
Reproduction In Plants
Plant reproduction is the production of
new individuals or offspring
Plant Reproduction
Plants like animals can reproduce sexually
and asexually
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Produces new
offspring without
the fusion of
gametes
Generically identical
to the parent plants
Types of Asexual Reproduction
Rhizomes – underground stems
Tubers – modified rhizomes that are
swollen
Stolons (Runners) – horizontally growing
stems
Types of Asexual Reproduction
Cuttings – piece of a plant stem with
leaves
Bulbs – swollen roots with storage leaf
Corms – no storage leaf
Sexual Reproduction
Plant reproduction where the offspring
carry traits from both the male and
female parent
Gametes are formed
Sexual Reproduction
Male sex cells are called pollen grains
Female sex cells are called ova
Sexual Reproduction
Pollinations occurs when the male pollen
grains are transferred to the stigma
Fertilisation occurs when a zygote is
formed
Sexual Reproduction
The male and female sex cells are
produced by meiosis in the structures of
the flowers
Flowers
the reproductive structure of the flower
◦ Sepals
◦ Petals
◦ Stamens
◦ Carpel (a.k.a. pistil)
Flowers
CARPELS (PISTILS) and STAMEN contain
the sex cells and are the reproductive
parts of the flower.
Stamen
Carpel
Flowers
ANTHER contains the pollen
The FILAMENT supports the ANTHER
Anther
Filament
Flowers
STIGMA where pollen is deposited
STYLE hold the STIGMA in place.
Stigma
Style
Flowers
OVARY hold the Ovule in place
OVULE is the small plant egg
Ovary
Ovule
Flowers
PETALS are used to attract pollinators
Petals
Pollination
Occurs when pollen is released from the
anthers and lands on the STIGMA
Pollination
Each flower is adapted to in a way for it
to be pollinated
Methods of Pollination
Wind
Animals / insects
Feature of Type of Flower
flower
Insect pollinated Wind pollinated
Position of stamen Enclosed within flower Exposed
Position of stigma Enclosed with flower Exposed
Type of stigma Sticky Feathery
Size of petals Large Small
Colour of petals Brightly coloured Not brightly coloured,
usually green
Nectaries Present as a reward Absent
Pollen grains Larger, sticky grains Smaller, smooth inflated
grains
Pollination
Plants that can pollinate within the same
flower are called self-pollination
Pollen that is transferred to a different
flower is called cross-pollination
Pollination
Why is it preferable for a plant to
encourage cross-pollination rather than
self pollination?
Fertilisation
Fertilisation of a
plant is a two part
process
◦ Pollen germinates
to form pollen tube
◦ Ovu is fertilised
with the sperm
Fertilisation
A pollen tube
grows from the
pollen grain, down
the carpel into the
embryo sac
Sperm are
discharged and
fertilise the eggs;
Fertilisation
Zygote develops
into an embryo
then into a SEED;
The ovary begins
to develop into a
FRUIT
Fertilisation
Water is then removed from the seed in
order to stop all enzymatic activity and
let the seed go dormant
Seed and Fruit Formation
Any structure that contains seed is a fruit
FRUITS:
Ovary develops into fruit which are
adapted for seed dispersal.
Dispersal of Fruits and Seeds
It is important for seeds to move away
from their parents
Seeds growing near other plants have to
compete for food, water and sunlight
Dispersal of Fruits and Seeds
Gravity
Animals
Force
Wind
Water
*Seeds are dispersed from the source plant
when fruits are moved about by the wind
or animals.
*Seeds deposited in soil of the proper
conditions (moisture, nutrients), will
GERMINATE.
SEED STRUCTURE
Seeds contain
small embryos
◦ Radicle
◦ Plumule
◦ Hypocotyl
◦ Cotyledons
◦ Testa
SEED STRUCTURE
Radicle
◦ Immature root
SEED STRUCTURE
Plumule
◦ The bud or
growing point of
the embryonic
plant
SEED STRUCTURE
Hypocotyl
◦ Immature stem
SEED STRUCTURE
Cotyledons
◦ Starch storage
SEED STRUCTURE
Testa
◦ Seed coat
SEED STRUCTURE
Micropyl
A minute opening
in the ovule of a
seed plant
through which the
pollen tube usually
enterse
Where water
enters the seed
SEED STRUCTURE
Some seeds will have
two cotyledons
◦ Dicotyledon
Others will have only
one cotyledon
◦ Monocotyledon
Structure of the mature seed:
in mature seeds, the embryo is dormant
until germination
• the seed dehydrates until its water
content is only 5-15% by weight.
Germination
Process in which seeds begin to grow
Germination
Stages of seed germination
Germination
Conditions needed for proper
germination
◦ Warm temperature (enzymes)
◦ Water (chemical reactions)
◦ Oxygen (respiration)
◦ Light (photosynthesis)
