© Hee Xin Wei (Copyrighted)

Topic 12:
Reproduction in Plants
 FOCUS
• straightforward chapter

EXAM
•
Chapter Analysis
commonly tested in MCQ and paper 2
• tested in section B once in the past 5
years

WEIGHTAGE
• Constitute to around 5% in Paper 2 in the
past 5 years
 Key Concept

flower structures
pollination
fertilisation
reproduction
asexual reproduction

• Reproduction is the biological process by which new organisms are

produced to ensure the perpetuation of the species.
• Two type of reproduction:
1. Asexual reproduction is the process of producing a genetically
identical offspring from one parent without the fusion of gametes.

Advantages Disadvantages
Asexual - Only one parent required as fusion - No genetic variation in the
reproduction of gametes is not required. offspring. Hence, species
- All beneficial qualities are passed are may be wiped out if not
onto the offspring. well adapted to changes in
- Faster method of producing the environment.
offspring as compared with sexual
reproduction.
- Since organisms are already in a
suitable habitat, they can colonise
the area rapidly.
Reproduction
sexual reproduction

2. Sexual reproduction is the process involving the fusion of gametes, one from each
parents, to form a zygote during fertilisation. The outcome is genetically dissimilar
offspring.
Advantages Disadvantages
Sexual - Offspring may inherit beneficial - Two parents are required
reproduction qualities from both parents. (except in plants with bisexual
- There is greater genetic variation in flowers) as fusion of gametes
the offspring, thus species can be is required
better adapted to changes in the - Slower method of producing
environment. offspring as compared to
asexual reproduction

Gametes
• Gametes have half the number of chromosomes as compared to normal cell which are
diploid
• For example, a human cell has diploid number of chromosomes, 23 pairs of
chromosomes, 46 chromosomes
• human gamete has half the chromosomes, 23 chromosomes
• male gametes and female gamete fuse to restore the normal number of chromosomes
 structure of a flower plant

Sepal • Modified leaves which are found on the outermost ring of floral
leaves.
• They enclose and protect the flower when it is in bud stage.
Petal • Modified leaves which form the most conspicuous part of the flower.
- They are large and brightly coloured in insect-pollinated plants
- Form a platform for insects to land on.
Carpels
Anther • Male reproductive organs in plants
• The anther consists of two lobes and a vascular bundle
• Each lobe contains two pollen sacs, which contain pollen grains
(male gametes)
Filament Stalk that holds the anther in a suitable position to disperse pollen
Carpels • Female reproductive organ in plants.
• Stigma: Receptor of pollen grains. Secretes a sugary fluid that
stimulates germination of pollen grains.
• Style: Holds the stigma in position to trap pollen grains.
Pedicle
• Ovary: Each ovary contains one or more ovules, which contains
female gametes
structure of a typical insect-pollinated flower
Pollination
self pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma, enabling
fertilisation.

Self pollination: transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same
flower or from the anther of a flower to the stigma of another flower on the same plant.

It is favoured when:
• Bisexual flowers with anthers and stigma maturing at the same time
• Stigma being located directly below the anthers, allowing pollen grains to fall onto it

Advantages Disadvantages
Not dependent on external agents of
pollination such as insects or wind There is less genetic variation, hence
Less wastage of pollen and energy. the offspring is less adapted to
During wind and insect pollination, a environmental changes.
great number of pollen grains are lost (this is NOT the same as asexual
as only a few pollen grains come into reproduction. There is fusion of gamete
contact with a stigma of a flower of thus offspring is NOT genetically similar
the same species. to parents)
Only one parent plant is required.
Pollination
cross pollination
cross pollination: transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a
flower of another plant belonging to the same species.

It is favoured when:
• Plants bear only male or female flowers, thus self pollination is not possible
• In plants with bisexual flowers, the anthers and the stigmas mature at different times.
• The stigma and anthers are located very far away.

Advantages Disadvantages

Energy-consuming – lots of energy is

required to make large amounts of pollen
Greater genetic variation, hence the grains.
offspring has a higher chance of
surviving environmental changes. A great number of pollen grains are
wasted due to the randomness of the
dispersal methods.

External agents of pollination i.e. wind,

Offspring may have inherited beneficial insects are required.
qualities from both parents.
Two parent plants are required.
mechanism of cross pollination

1. Insect-pollination
Insect such as bees and butterfly enters the flower for the
nectar, pollen grains from the anthers stick onto the insect.
When they visit other flowers, the will be transferred to the
next flower sticky stigma.

2. Wind-pollination
Wind-pollinated flowers have their pollen carried away by the
wind when the exposed anthers shake in the wind. The
pollen grains may come into contact with large feathery
stigmas of another flower, they would be trapped.
fertilisation in plants
Fertilisation: The fusion of nuclei of the male gamete (pollen) and the female gamete (ovule)

1. After pollination, the pollen grains germinate in response to the sugary fluid secreted
by stigma.
2. A pollen tube grows out from each pollen grain. The cytoplasm and the two nuclei of
the pollen grain, namely generative nucleus and pollen tube nucleus, pass into the
pollen tube
3. Pollen tube secretes enzymes to digest the surrounding tissue of the stigma and style.
4. The generative nucleus divides to form two male gametes.

5. The pollen tube enters the ovule in the ovary through the micropyle.
6. Within the ovule, the tip of the pollen tubes absorbs sap and bursts, releasing the two
male gametes.
7. One male gamete fuses with the ovum to form the zygote, while the other male gamete
fuses with the definitive nucleus to form the endosperm nucleus
8. The ovule will develop into a seed and the ovary will develop into a fruit.
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