General Biology 2

Laboratory Activity No. 1

Plant Reproduction
Jefrick Bea Barranta1, Exceil Matthew B. Carpio1, Shaquelle Ocier Magculang1
and Kenzilmar Marbyn HadjiBasher1
Senior High School Student, Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering, Senior High School Department,
Rizal High School

Abstract

Plant reproduction may occur in different ways mainly, Pollination and fertilization for sexual
reproduction and Vegetative reproduction for asexual reproduction. Pollination occurs when a
“pollinator” like bees attaches to a flower because of it sipping the nectar of the flower, the pollen
grains then attaches to the pollinator acting as kind of transportation system for the pollen grain to
transfer to another flower’s stigma, Once on the stigma, pollen may “germinate” which means that a
“pollen tube” forms on the sticky surface of the stigma and grows down into the ovule, making
fertilization possible.

Vegetative reproduction on the other hand is where a new offspring is produced from a
vegetative part of the parent plant like leaves.

Key Terms: Plant reproduction, Pollination, Fertilization, Vegetative reproduction, Pollinator, Germinate, Pollen tube.

Introduction

One of the main characteristic of a living organism is to reproduce or create offspring be it from
plants up to us humans, can only reproduce through sexual reproduction. Unlike plants they can
accomplish in creating offspring by either sexual or asexual reproduction. Reproduction in plants takes
place sexually and asexually as well. But the majority of the flowering plants reproduce sexually. Sexual
reproduction requires two parents to produce an offspring both of different sexes undergoing sexual
intercourse, resulting in the reproduction of an offspring through the fusion of gametes in which the
offspring is generically different from its parents. Asexual reproduction on the other hand only requires
one self, creating an offspring that is genetically identical to its parent unless a mutation occurs. In seed
plants, the offspring can be packaged in a protective seed, which is used as an agent of dispersal.

Asexual reproduction may occur through budding, fragmentation, fission, spore formation and
vegetable propagation. Plants that undergo asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically
identical to its parent plant. Vegetative reproduction is defined as the production of new plantlets from
the vegetative parts (leaf, stem, roots) of the parent plant. For this to take place, there is no need for
pollination, fertilization of the male and female reproductive cells, production of spores and any such
processes that require male and female gametes and is distinguished from apomixis. Apomixis involves
reproduction by special generative tissues without fertilization. It includes parthenogenesis in animals,
in which the new individual develops from the unfertilized egg, and apogamy in certain plants, in which
the generative tissue may be the sporophyte or the gametophyte.
 Sexual reproduction is a way of reproduction of some animals and plants. Offspring is made by a
cell from the male and a cell of the female. Different steps are involved in the process. The cells of an
animal or higher plant have two sets of chromosomes: they are diploid. When gametes (sex cells) are
produced, they have only one set of chromosomes: they are haploid. They have undergone a process of
cell division called meiosis that rearranges and reduces the number of chromosomes. The second step is
called fertilization. In it, the two cells merge into one. This restores the diploid state.

Objectives:

Generally, this laboratory activity aims to enhance the knowledge of the students about the
sexual reproduction of plants.

Specifically, this laboratory activity also aims the following:

1. To identify the parts and function of flowers used for reproduction.

2. To determine the type of plant cells present in the following parts of the flower: petal,
anther, stigma, pistil, and ovules.

3. To classify their sample of flower according to types of flowers based on presence of

whorls.

4. To classify their sample of flower according to types of flowers based on the presence of
reproductive whorls

5. And to classify the plant types based on the presence of reproductive structures.

Materials:

Compound Light Microscope Dissect set

Glass slides Camera

Flashlight

Procedures:

A. Flower Dissection

a) Remove the sepals and petals from the flower.

b) Slice the stamens and anther in half with a scalpel.

c) Pin the flower to the dissection board.

d) Slice the stigma down the middle with a scalpel.

e) Expose the ovary

f) Slice the ovary open with the scalpel.

 B. Prepared Slide Observation

a. Put the ovules in the slide.

b. Place the prepared slide on the stage of the microscope.

c. Observe the specimen under different objective lenses.

d. Calculate the total magnification for each observation.

Total magnification = magnification of eye piece x magnification of objectives.

Results:

Hibiscus (Gumamela)

Petals Anther

400x 400x 400x

 Style Ovules

400x 400x

Conclusion:

Flower is a vital component of plants for reproduction. It consists of different parts like sepals,
mostly resemble leaves because of its green colour, in which it protects the unopened flower bud and
petals, mostly brightly colored and even scented, that can attract pollinators. Also stamen, which is the
male reproductive organ that consists of a long, slender filament topped by a pollen producing anther
and pistil, the female reproductive organ, consisting of a sticky circular stigma, a shaft called style that
lead to ovary which contain the ovules.

Pollen grains and ovules are the male and female gametophyte that are produce in the anther
and ovary respectively. These two gametophyte are needed for a plant to reproduce. Pollen grains are
produced way greater in number than the ovules because they are needed to be dispersed to the other
plant unlike ovules that are safe inside the ovary.

Pollination is one of the major process involved in the plant reproduction. It is the
transportation of the pollen coming from the stamen and it would stick easily to the stigma of the pistil.
Pollination may be done by some pollinators like insect or human. These pollinators will be attracted to
the colorful and scented flower specifically because of the petals. Another major process involved in
plant reproduction is the fertilization in which the male sex cell are going to the ovary from the pollen
attach to the stigma.

The type of cell differs with different part of the flower for example anther have sporogenous
cell, ovules have megasporangium, petals are mesophyll-type cell layer and stigma has stigmatic papillae
that can hold pollen. Even the types of flower differs with the presence of whorl like when all the whorls
are present it is called a complete flower and if only one did not present then it is an incomplete flower.
Also a flower may be classified based on the reproductive whorl present. A flower is bisexual or
hermaphrodite flower when both male and female are present while if one is absent then it is called
unisexual or diclinous flower. Lastly, a plant can be classified as a flowering plant when it have the
reproductive structures like a flower and it is not a flowering plant when it doesn’t have any
reproductive structures.
Guide Questions:

1. Which does your flower produce more in greater numbers: ovules or pollen grains? Explain why
this would be important in terms of reproductive success.
- Flowers produce more pollen grains than ovules. The reason for this is because of the pollen
needing to be transported. The pollen grains are small and many will be lost in the
transportation process before reaching the female reproductive parts.

2. What are some adaptations of flower petals to help attract pollinators?

- Flower petals modify petal shape, color, scent, sensitivity and patterns to attract
pollinators. Both flower and pollinator enjoy rewards through the process of mutualism.
The flower spends less energy on pollen production and is successfully pollinated. The
pollinator eats nectar and finds easy prey.
3. How is stigma of your flower adapted to capture and hold pollen?
- The stigma becomes moist and sticky at maturation allowing for the pollen to be captured.
The top of the pistil being enlarged offers a greater surface area for pollen to land on as
well.
4. What are the different types of plant cells in the plant structures? Describe each.
- There are various types of plant cells which include: parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells,
collenchyma cells, xylem cells, and phloem cells. Parenchyma cells are the majority of cells
in a plant. They are found in leaves and carry out photosynthesis and cellular respiration,
along with other metabolic processes. Collenchyma cells provide support to growing parts
of a plant. Sclerenchyma cells are hard cells that are the main supporting cells in the areas
of a plant that have ceased growing. Xylem cells transport mostly water and a few nutrients
throughout a plant, from the roots to the stem and leaves. Phloem cells transport nutrients
made during photosynthesis to all parts of a plant.
5. Why is this type of plant cell present in that specific plant structure?
- Different types of plant cells have different function, they are present in that specific plant
structure is because of their function like how Parenchyma cells are found on leaves so that
they can undergo photosynthesis and cellular respiration more effectively. So their
presence in that specific structure are intended for their function and how they can deliver,
support, and undergo metabolic processes effectively.
6. How is your specimen classified according to the types of flowers based on the presence of
whorls? Types of flowers based on the presence of reproductive whorls? Plant types on the
presence of reproductive structures?
- The plant is Gumamela is Hibiscus because it has 4 whorls which are the calyx, corolla,
androecium, and gynoecium. The Androecium (Anther and Filament) and Gynoecium (
Stigma, Style and Ovary) are present thus making Gumamela a Complete Flower. The Plant
type is Angiosperm or flowering plants because of the presence of ovary, stigma, style,
anthers and filaments which are the reproductive structures of flowers.
7. Where pollination and fertilization occur?
- Firstly, pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther (male organ of the flower) to the
stigma (female organ of the flower) of the same or different flower. Secondly, fertilization
occurs once the pollen grain reaches the stigma, it produces a pollen tube, which grows
down through the style to the ovary. Pollination occurs in the stigma of a flower, which is
the female reproductive part of the flower.
8. Explain the difference between pollination and fertilization?
- Whereas the fertilization is the common process, involving the union of the male gamete
(sperm) and female gamete (egg). Pollination does not involve the formation of the pollen
tube, while in fertilization there is the formation of pollen tube which helps in transferring
of male gametes up to an egg cell.
9. a) In which part of the male reproductive organ are the pollen grains made?
- Pollen is produced in a flower's stamen, and it is a powder of grains that produces
the sperm seeds of plants.

b) In which part of the female reproductive organ are the egg cells made?

- The egg cell is produced at the flower’s ovary.

9. How do sperm nuclei in a pollen grain reach the egg nucleus in an ovule?

- When they land on the style they begin to bore their way through the stigma all the way to
the ovule. Through the tube made by the tube nucleus of the pollen grain: each pollen grain has two
nuclei, one called generative nucleus which combines with the nuclei of the ovule, and the other
called tube nucleus which forms a tube that penetrates the stigma till it reaches ovule then it
degenerates (also called as pollen tube).

10. a) Which part of the flower become the seed?

- After fertilization through the act of pollination, the flower's ovary becomes swollen and
turns into a fruit. The flower's ovules, found inside the ovary, harden and become the seeds
inside the fruit.

b) Which part becomes the fruit?

- The ovary of the gynoecium of a flower becomes the fruit and ovules inside the ovary
develop in to the seeds after sexual reproduction.

c) Which part of the fruit contains the embryo?

- The ovary (which becomes the fruit) contains an ovule (or several to many ovules)
which becomes the seed which contains the embryo.
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