Journal Questions
Colwyn Sleep
1. Which parts of the flowers are important in pollination? Describe the function of
the parts and the process that occurs in pollination.
Some parts of the flower are more important for pollination. The male reproductive sexual
structures, the “Anther” and “Filament”, (known collectively as the “Stamen”) play an important
role in the production and dispersal of the pollen. The Anther produces pollen, (the male
gametophyte) , and the Filament supports the Anther, holding it upright so that it may be brushed
against by pollinators as they collect nectar. Because of the pollinators, the flower’s petals also
play an important role in pollination. Their bright colours and individual patterns help to attract
specific pollinators such as hummingbirds or bees to the flower.
2. Which parts of the flowers are involved in fertilization and fruit development?
Some parts of the flower are more important for fertilization and fruit development. The female
reproductive sexual structures, the “Stigma,” “Style,” and “Ovary,” known collectively as the
“Carpel” play an important role in receiving the pollen for fertilization to occur. The Stigma is
the tip of the Style, and is sticky to attract and hold pollen. The Style holds the Stigma up and
provides the connection to the Ovary where a pollen tube can form. The Ovary holds the “Ovule”
which, when fertilized will develop into a mature seed. The mature Ovary is a fruit which
envelops and protect the seed.
3. Many types of flowers produce fruits that are fragrant and sweet tasting. Describe
how these characteristic of fruits may be important for dispersal.
Flowers that produce sweet tasting fruits help to increase the dispersal of their seeds by offering
food to an animal. The animal will eat the fruit containing the seeds of the plant, and then deposit
them in a new location, along with some manure to assist with growth, in a new location. By
having the animals consume a fruit containing the seeds, the plant can let the animal do the job
of transporting the seeds to a new location. In this sense the plant is not entirely reliant on the
wind to disperse the seeds.
4. Many types of flowers are brightly coloured, fragrant and produce sweet nectar.
Describe how these characteristics affect the process of pollination.
Bright colours, fragrant scents, and sweet nectar are some of the ways a flower is able to attract
potential pollinators. The colours and patters on the petal, as well as the fragrance the flower
produces help to display and identify the flower so that a specific type of pollinator may
recognize it as a potential food source. The sweet nectar is the food source the flower produces,
and “offers” to the pollinator as a reward in exchange for pollination. Flowers that reply on
hummingbirds for pollination must produce larger amounts of nectar than those which rely on
insects such as bees so identification and attraction of the correct pollinators can be important.
Journal Questions
Colwyn Sleep
5. Most species of plants produces flowers containing both stamen and pistils. Why is
producing flowers with both male and female reproductive structures an advantage for
plant?
By producing both male and female structures, flowers have specific advantages. Some plants
are able to self-fertilize, using their own pollen to fertilize their own egg. This is advantageous in
that it does not rely on a pollinator to carry the male gametophyte over a large distance. The
pollinator can simply brush pollen around the area. Wind could also help to disperse the pollen
within the flower, aiding in fertilization. Another advantage of each flower producing both male
and female reproductive organs is that it increases the overall number of reproductive organisms
within a population. Each flower being able to produce a male gametophyte, as well as receive
one and become fertilized, increases the chances for reproduction to occur.
Parts of a Flower
Name of Flower
Part
Description
Function
Anther
oval-shaped
structure that
produces pollen,
located structure on
the end of the
filament
produces the male
gametophyte,
pollen
Filament
a stalk-like structure Supports and
that attaches to the elevates the anther
base of the flower
Ovary
Swollen base of the
pistil. The mature
ovary is a fruit.
Holds the ovule
Ovule
Located inside the
Ovary.
ovule that, when
fertilized, will
develop into a seed
Petals
Colourful, leaf-like
parts
Attract insects and
other pollinators to
the flower.
Pistil
Consists of the
stigma, style, ovary,
and ovule.
The female
reproductive part of
the flower
Sepals
Leaflike parts
around the base of
the flower
Protect and enclose
the flower during its
bud stage
Stigma
Sticky tip of the
pistil
Where pollen grains
land
Style
Stalk-like part of the Connects the
pistil
stigma to the ovary.
Provides the
location for the
pollen tube to grow
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