SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

IN PLANTS
CAPE BIOLOGY
UNIT 1
MODULE 3
OBJECTIVES
You should be able to:
Describe the structure of the anther and the formation
of pollen grains.
Make annotated diagrams of the anther.
Describe the structure of the ovule and the formation of
the embryo sac.
Make annotated diagrams of the ovule and embryo sac.
Make drawings of the anther and embryo sac from
prepared slides.
Explain how cross fertilization is promoted through non-
synchronous maturation of stamens (protogyny) and
carpels (protandry), separate sexes (dioecy), insect
pollination, self incompatibility and sterility.
Discuss the genetic consequences of sexual
reproduction including self fertilization and cross
fertilization.

GENETIC CONSEQUENCES
OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION



THE LIFECYCLE OF
FLOWERING PLANTS

FLOWER STRUCTURE
The following structures are found from the outside of the flower to the inside.
Sepals small green structures, these protect the bud and are often seen at the
bottom of mature flowers. The ring of sepals forms the calyx.
Petals usually brightly coloured and scented. The ring of which is called the
corolla.
Nectaries - may or may not be present. They produce a sugary substance called
nectar.
Stamen or androecium is the male part of the flower. Stamens are made up of
anthers and filaments.
Filament stalk which attaches the anther to the flower.
Anther structure at the top of the stamen which produces pollen grains (they
contain male sex cells)
Carpel or gynoecium is the female part of the flower. It has three components:
Stigma slightly swollen structure situated at tip of the carpel this is where
pollen grains land during pollination
Style slender hollow stalk that attaches stigma to ovary
Ovary contains ovules which in turn contain female gametes.




FLOWER STRUCTURE NON
REPRODUCTIVE
STRUCTURES
The following structures are found from the
outside of the flower to the inside.

Sepals small green structures, these protect
the bud and are often seen at the bottom of
mature flowers. The ring of sepals forms the
calyx.

Petals usually brightly coloured and scented.
The ring of which is called the corolla.

Nectaries - may or may not be present. They
produce a sugary substance called nectar.

REPRODUCTIVE
STRUCTURES ANDROECIUM
(STAMEN)
Stamen is the male part of the flower.
Stamens are made up of anthers and
filaments.
Filament stalk which attaches the
anther to the flower.
Anther structure at the top of the
stamen which produces pollen grains
(they contain male sex cells)

REPRODUCTIVE
STRUCTURES - GYNOECIUM
Carpel or gynoecium is the female
part of the flower. It has three
components:
Stigma slightly swollen structure
situated at tip of the carpel this is
where pollen grains land during
pollination
Style slender hollow stalk that
attaches stigma to ovary
Ovary contains ovules which in turn
contain female gametes.

DEVELOPMENT OF POLLEN
GRAINS
DEVELOPMEN
T
OF POLLEN
GRAINS
Each anther has four pollen sacs.
Each pollen sac has pollen mother cells.
The pollen mother cells undergo meiosis to form four pollen grains.
This group of four is called a tetrad. Each grain forms a thick
patterned outer wall characteristic of the species.
The outer wall or exine is made of sporopollenin which is
waterproof, resistant and long lasting. They are capable of lasting
millions of years and have been found in peat bogs.
The pollen grain nucleus divides into two by mitosis to form a
generative nucleus and a pollen tube nucleus.

DEVELOPMENT OF OVULE
1
Each ovule is attached the ovary wall at
the placenta by a funicle which is a small
stalk. It is through the funicle that the
ovule receives food and water.
The main body of the ovule is the
nucellus.
The nucellus is enclosed and protected
by integuments.
There is a small hole at one end of the
ovule called a micropyle.
In the nuclellus, near the micropyle, a
spore mother cell develops this is called
the embryo sac mother cell.
DEVELOPMENT OF OVULE
2
The embryo sac mother cell is diploid and
undergoes meiosis to produce four haploid
cells.
One of these haploid cells develops to form
the embryo sac.
The embryo sac grows and its nucleus
undergoes mitosis until there are eight nuclei
formed. Four at each end of the embryo sac.
One of the eight nuclei is the female gamete.
Two nuclei go to the centre of the embryo sac
and fuse to become a single diploid nucleus.
The remaining six nuclei, three at each end
become separated by thin cell walls. Five
disintegrate.

DEVELOPMENT OF OVULE -
OVERVIEW
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. With the aid of a diagram, describe
the functions of the parts of a flower.
2. Make a large annotated diagram of
the pollen grain sac and the carpel.
3. Describe with the aid of diagrams,
the development of pollen grains and
ovules.