16.3.2

Pollination Methods

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Pollination Methods

Different plants rely on different ways to transfer pollen between flowers of plants:

Illustrative background for Insect-pollinated flowersIllustrative background for Insect-pollinated flowers ?? "content

Insect-pollinated flowers

  • Some plants rely on insects to carry pollen between flowers.
  • These plants often have large, brightly-coloured petals and also produce sweet nectar to attract insects.
  • Insects brush past the anthers as they try to get to the nectar, and become covered in pollen, which is transferred to the next flower the insect visits.
Illustrative background for Insect-spread pollenIllustrative background for Insect-spread pollen ?? "content

Insect-spread pollen

  • This pollen is barbed so that it attaches easily to insects that brush past the anthers.
Illustrative background for Wind-pollinated flowersIllustrative background for Wind-pollinated flowers ?? "content

Wind-pollinated flowers

  • These flowers rely on gusts of wind to carry their pollen to other flowers.
  • They do not produce nectar and don't have large or brightly-coloured petals.
  • The stigmas are large and extend out of the flower so they can catch any passing pollen.
Illustrative background for Wind-spread pollenIllustrative background for Wind-spread pollen ?? "content

Wind-spread pollen

  • These pollen grains are smooth and lightweight so that they can be carried by the wind over long distances.
  • Some may also have wing-like structures so that they are picked up by the wind easily.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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