Sexual Reproduction Topic #2022A Nick Wendling

Sexual Propagation Reproduction by seed Most plants are started from seed Normal for vegetables, flowers, grains, and forest trees

Advantages Economical Easier Seeds can be stored for long periods of time Less likely to transmit disease to offspring

Disadvantages Inconsistent in genetic makeup Slow to mature Some plants do not produce viable seeds

Seed Production Seeds are produced in flowers Flowers contain both sexual and sterile parts

Sterile Parts Receptacle Sepals Petals

Sexual, or Fertile Parts Male stamens, which make pollen Female pistils, which contain egg bearing ovules

Stamen Filament – the supportive structure of the anther Anther – where pollen is located

Pistils Stigma – collection area for pollen Style – the tube that leads the pollen to the ovary Ovary – the ovule bearing part of the plant

Pollination The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma Once the pollen reached the stigma it stays there because of the sticky exudate. The pollen grain then sends out a tube down the style all the way to the ovary within the ovule

Fertilization A nucleus from the pollen tube unites with the egg nucleus in an ovule, making a zygote. Each fertilized egg develops into a seed