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Lesson 9 Reading Questions - The Wonder of Flowering Plants (OMM p. 116119)
1. What type of an organ is a flower to a plant? The reproductive organ
2a.What is the male reproductive structure on a plant? Stamens
2b.What part make up this structure and what do they do?
The stamen consists of the anther, which produces the pollen, and the filament,
which supports the anther.
3a.What is the female reproductive structure on a plant? Pistil
3b.What part make up this structure and what do they do?
The top of the pistil is the sticky stigma, where pollen can attach during
pollination, the style supports the stigma and the ovary at the bottom of the
pistil produces the eggs.
4. What is the difference between a “perfect” and an “imperfect” flower?
A perfect flower contains both male and female reproductive parts, an
imperfect flower contains only the male reproductive parts or only the female
reproductive parts.
5. What is pollination?
When pollen from the anther comes in contact with the sticky stigma of the
pistil.
6. What are the two types of pollination and how do they differ?
Self-pollination is when the pollen from a plant is transferred to the stigma of
the same plant. Cross-pollination occurs when the pollen from a plant is
transferred to the stigma of another plant of the same species.
7. How do plants get pollen – explain the method for each type of pollination.
In plants that self-pollinate, gravity, an insect, a gust of wind or even a
raindrop can help transfer pollen from the anther to the stigma, however in
cross pollination the pollen must be transferred to a different plant by wind,
water or animals like insects.
8. What is fertilization?
When the sperm cells unite with the egg cells fertilization has occurred.
9. How is the endosperm produced?
A sperm cell unites with polar nuclei in the egg cell which stimulates the
formation of endosperm, which serves as a source of food for the growing
embryo.
10. What part of the original flower eventually becomes a fruit? The ovary
11. What is the function of the fruit?
The fruit protects the seed and helps in seed dispersal.
12. Why do flowers need to adapt in order to enhance pollination?
Because flowers cannot move freely, they must adapt ways to attract
pollinators to help them reproduce. The flower’s real function is to promote
pollination, fertilization and seed production.
13. How are flowers adapted to encourage pollination?
Color and scent attract pollinators to a flower.
14. Draw and label a perfect flower (p. 108). Label the following: petal, sepal,
stigma, style, anther, filament, stamen, ovary, stem