1. Plant Reproduction, Fruit and Seed Dispersal
The Problem of Fruit
Plant Reproduction, Fruit and Seed Dispersal

2. How do plants reproduce?
Some plants use flowers or cones in their reproductive processes.
Pollen (male reproductive cell)
Eggs (female reproductive cell)

3. How do plants reproduce
Pollen may be carried from plant to plant by
Wind
Water
Animals/ insects
* If none of the above work, some will self-pollinate

4. Wind Pollination
Wind-pollinated plants rely on wind to scatter their pollen. They do not need to attract animals so their flowers are usually UNSCENTED with small petals and sepals.
Plants that use the wind produce huge amounts of pollen. Increasing the chances of fertilization.
Pollen is usually smooth and light

5. Animal Pollination
Flowers are used to attract animals to carry their pollen. Most have brightly colored petals or sweet scents to attract pollinators.
Some may produce a sweet liquid called nectar.
Some have patterns on their petals called nectar guides to help an insect find it.
Pollen grains tend to be spiky so it sticks to the animals body.

6. Water pollination
Pollen is dispersed into the water where it flows or is carried to other plants.

7. Problem 1 Flowers are pretty and take a ton of energy to create
Why would a plant invest so much energy and time into a pretty flower, or into crazy reproductive parts?

8. To attract an make fertilization possible

9. Pollination
Pollen lands on the stigma, moves through “style” and fertilizes an egg in the ovary.

10. Ovary becomes fruit

11. Problem 2
Why would a plant spend so much energy to create a fruit?

12. Seed Dispersal

13. Seed movement Animals might burry seed Animals might poop seed
Squirrel burry acorn
Animals might poop seed
Apple, Berries, Vegetables
Seed might float away
Coconut

14. Seed Adaptations hooks called Burs are used to attach to animal fur
Tasty seeds/fruits attract animals eat them
Spores burst open from pods to disperse
Float – coconuts float to another location
Wings/ fuzz – make them light to be carried by the wind
And many more

15. Why is moving seeds important?

16. Other Seed Dispersal Methods
Burrs, Wind, Spores

17. Seed Dispersal Success Depends Upon
Type of animals
Environmental factors
Number of seeds produced
Seed landing in right spot

18. Review
Why do seeds spend so much energy creating flowers and systems of fertilization?
Why do seeds invest so much energy in fruit production?

19. Practice
Why would a plant be more successful as a species if it is spread out over a wide geographical area?
What are some factors that affect the successful germination of seeds?