Pollination

The idea

Pollen must be transferred from stamen to stigma: transfer within the same flower is self-pollination, and transfer from one flower to another, by wind, water or animals, is cross-pollination.

A long journey

Pollen is made by the stamen, but the egg cells are inside the pistil.

What must happen to the pollen?

• It must be transferred from the stamen to the stigma
• It must be eaten
• It must be buried

Two ways to pollinate

Open each tab.

Two kinds of pollination

The pollen needs to go from the stamen to the stigma. If this happens in the same flower, it is self-pollination. If the pollen goes from one flower to another, it is cross-pollination, carried by wind, water or animals.

Pollen must be transferred from stamen to stigma. Transfer within the same flower is self-pollination. Transfer from one flower to another, by wind, water or animals, is cross-pollination.

Notes

Pollen goes from stamen to stigma: in the same flower is self-pollination; from one flower to another by wind, water or animals is cross-pollination.

Check yourself

Pollen moves from the stamen to the stigma of the same flower. This is …

Pollen carried from one flower to the stigma of another flower is …

According to the book, which agents carry pollen from one flower to another?

Pollen is transferred from the …

• cross-pollination. Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from one flower to another.
• self-pollination — correct. Yes!
• fertilisation. Fertilisation is the fusion of the germ-cells, not the transfer of pollen.
• self-pollination. Self-pollination is the transfer within the same flower.
• germination. Germination is the development of the embryo in the seed into a seedling.
• cross-pollination — correct. Yes!
• Wind, water or animals — correct. Yes!
• Only the wind. The book lists wind, water or animals as agents.
• The roots of the plant. The agents named in the book are wind, water or animals.
• stigma to the stamen. The stamen produces the pollen grains, so pollen leaves the stamen for the stigma.
• stamen to the stigma — correct. Yes!
• ovary to the style. The pollen is produced by the stamen and needs to reach the stigma.