Fertilisation in a flower

The idea

Fertilisation is the fusion of the male germ-cell produced by the pollen grain with the female gamete in the ovule, giving a zygote that can grow into a new plant.

Two cells meet

A pollen grain makes a male germ-cell. An ovule holds the female gamete.

What happens when the two meet?

• They fuse into one cell
• They stay apart
• They both disappear

Fuse the germ-cells

Press Next step.

Fertilisation

The pollen grain produces a male germ-cell. In the ovule is the female gamete. When they fuse, that is fertilisation. The result is a zygote, which can grow into a new plant.

Fertilisation is the fusion of the male germ-cell produced by the pollen grain with the female gamete in the ovule, giving a zygote that can grow into a new plant.

Notes

Fertilisation is the fusion of the male germ-cell from the pollen grain with the female gamete in the ovule, giving a zygote that can grow into a new plant.

Check yourself

Fertilisation is …

The male germ-cell in a flower is produced by …

Fertilisation gives a …

• the transfer of pollen from stamen to stigma. That transfer is pollination. Fertilisation is the fusion of germ-cells.
• the fusion of the male germ-cell with the female gamete — correct. Yes!
• the ripening of the ovary into a fruit. The ovary ripens into a fruit after fertilisation.
• the ovule. The ovule contains the female gamete.
• the stigma. The stigma is the terminal part of the pistil. The male germ-cell is produced by the pollen grain.
• the pollen grain — correct. Yes!
• zygote, which can grow into a new plant — correct. Yes!
• a pollen tube. The tube grows out of a pollen grain, before fertilisation. Fertilisation gives a zygote.
• a fruit with no seed. The fruit forms from the ovary after fertilisation. Fertilisation itself gives a zygote.