4.1.8

Pollination Methods

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Pollination Methods

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

Insect-pollinated flowers

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.
Insect-spread pollen

Insect-spread pollen

  • This pollen is barbed so that it attaches easily to insects that brush past the anthers.
Wind-pollinated flowers

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.
Wind-spread pollen

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
1

The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2

Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3

Organism Functions

3.1

Respiration

3.2

Gas Exchange

3.3

Transport

3.4

Excretion

3.5

Coordination & Response

4

Reproduction & Inheritance

5

Ecology

6

Biological Resources

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