ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERS

Part I: Overview of angiosperm life cycle

The figure below depicts the major steps in the angiosperm life cycle. The sporophyte plant produces a
reproductive structure the flower which contains male and female reproductive organs.
There are four pollen sacs per male anther, which are the microsporangia or spore-forming structures.
The pollen sacs contain many microsporocytes (spore mother cells) which each produce four male
spores through meiosis. These spores develop into many two-celled male gametophytes pollen grains
which pollinate the female part of the flower. During pollination, one cell forms a pollen tube, while the
second cell produces two sperm cells.
The female megasporangium the ovule contains a single megasporocyte. This megasporocyte
undergoes meiosis followed by several cell divisions to produce a female megagametophyte with 8
nuclei the embryo sac. Following pollination, two fertilization steps take place: one sperm cell fertilizes
one of the megagametophyte nuclei to form an embryo, and the other sperm cell fuses with two additional
nuclei in the megagametophyte to form the endosperm which nourishes the developing plant embryo.
Both the embryo and endosperm together form the plant seed. This seed is often enclosed within a fruit,
which is used for protection or dispersal of the seed (you will investigate fruits more closely in the next
lab). The seed gives rise to a new sporophyte.

Using the life cycle diagram as a guide, fill into the generic life cycle depicted below
where the seedling, pollen sac, pollen grains, ovule, embryo sac and seed are
present in the angiosperm life cycle.

Part II: Flower anatomy

The angiosperm reproductive structure is the flower. The flower sits on a pedicel, or the stalk
that supports the flower and connects it to the rest of the plant. The base of the flower is the
receptacle, to which all other parts of the flower are attached. The outermost whorl of flower
appendages is the calyx, composed of sepals, small leaf-life structures that initially enclose a
developing flower bud. A visually prominent feature of the flower is the corolla, composed of
petals, which are often brightly colored and can serve as an attractant or landing pad for
pollinators. (Angiosperms that rely on pollination by wind often do not have petals.) The calyx
and corolla together form the perianth.
The flower also includes both male and female reproductive structures. The stamens are the
male reproductive structure, which consists of the filament (stalk) and anthers (sacs containing
the male gametophyte pollen grains). Together, the stamens are also referred to as the
androecium.
The pistil is the female reproductive structure, and includes the stigma (opening that produces
a sticky substance which catches pollen grains), style (tube through which the pollen tubes
grow towards the ovules), and ovary (base region containing one or more of the female
megasporangia ovules). The ovary contains several segments called carpels, which
collectively are called the gynoecium. The ovule contains four megaspores, one of which will
develop into the female gametophyte the embryo sac.
Label the 12 numbered structures on the flower diagram below as the anther, filament, ovary,
ovule, pedicel, petal, pistil, receptacle, sepal, stamen, stigma, and style.
Which numbers form the perianth?

Part IV: Flower dissections

You learned about flower anatomy in detail in Part II. The list of terms below includes
additional ways that flowers can be described and classified.
Flower arrangement:
Solitary a single flower
Inflorescence cluster of flowers
Ovary position:
Superior (hypogynous) calyx and corolla attached to the receptacle at the base of
the ovary
Inferior (epigynous) calyx and corolla appear to be attached at the top of the ovary
Semi-inferior (perigynous) calyx and corolla found on a cup-shaped structure
surrounding the receptacle

Flower parts:
Complete have all flower parts and reproductive structures
Incomplete lack one or more sepals, petals, stamen, or pistils
Perfect flower both stamens and pistils
Imperfect flower only one sex; lacks either stamens or pistil
Staminate flower have only stamens
Pistillate flower have only pistils
Flower symmetry:
Actinomorphic radially symmetrical; petals usually the same in shape and size
Zygomorphic bilaterally symmetrical; often have petals of two or more different
shapes and sizes

There are a number of different flower types available for dissection. Use your
knowledge of flower structure from the figure in Part II and the list of terms provided
here to help guide your dissections. The dissecting scopes will also be available for
your use.
Select at least three different types of flowers. Sketch and label the parts of each flower
use the space below, and additional paper as necessary. For each flower you dissect,
also determine:
1) the flower arrangement (solitary or inflorescence)
2) the ovary position (superior, inferior, or semi-inferior)
3) which flower parts are present; and how many of each
-based on this, is the flower more likely to be from a monocot or dicot?
4) the flower symmetry