MF009 5A Plant Reproduction James L2

CHAPTER 5
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Reproduction
Photosynthesis
Transportation
James L,
General Biology I (MF009)
Foundation in Science
Plant Reproduction
 Reproduction is the production of a new
generation of individuals of the same species.
 Two methods of plant reproduction are:
(a) sexual reproduction
is the fusion of two gametes to form a
zygote
(b) asexual reproduction
is reproduction by a single organism
without production of gametes
Plant Reproduction
 In most plants, meiosis and fertilization
divide the life of the organism into two
distinct phases or "generations“
(Alternation of generations).
 The haploid gametophyte generation
begins with a spore produced by
meiosis. The spore is haploid, and all
the cells derived from it (by mitosis) are
also haploid.
 In due course, this multicellular structure
produces gametes — by mitosis— and
sexual reproduction then produces the
diploid sporophyte generation.
Plant Reproduction
 The sporophyte generation thus starts

with a zygote. Its cells contain the
diploid number of chromosomes and
grow into mature plant.
 Eventually, though, certain cells will
undergo meiosis, forming spores and
starting a new gametophyte generation.
Life cycle of most plants (alternation of generation).
Life Cycle of Angiosperm
Angiosperms
 Angiosperms are the flowering plants

(today the most abundant and diverse plants on earth).
 Most are terrestrial and all lack locomotion. This poses
several problems.
 Gametes are delicate single cells. For two plants to
cross fertilize, there must be a mechanism for the two
gametes to reach each other safely.
 There must also be a mechanism to disperse their
offspring far enough away from the parent so that they

do not have to compete with the parent for light, water,
and soil minerals.
 The functions of the flower solve both of these problems.
Plant Life Cycle
 The male reproductive part in known as stamen
which comprises the anther and filament.
 The female reproductive part is known as
carpel/pistil which comprises stigma, style and
ovary.
Plant Life Cycle
 In angiosperms, meiosis in the sporophyte
generation produces two types of spores.
 microspores
 which develop in the microsporangium and
 which will germinate and develop into the male
gametophyte generation and
 megaspores
 which develop in the megasporangium and
 which will develop into the female gametophyte
generation.
Plant Life Cycle
 In most angiosperms, the flowers are perfect: each
has both microsporangia and megasporangia.
 Some angiosperms are imperfect, having either
microsporangia or megasporangia but not both.
 Monoecious plants have both types of imperfect
flower on the same plant.
 Dioecious (unisexual) plants have imperfect flowers
on separate plants; that is, some plants are male, some
female.
Structures of a typical flower. The anthers of the stamen form pollen, which eventually
produce the sperm gametes. The pistil is the female part of a flower. Within the pistil, the
stigma collects pollen; the style provides a channel that directs the growth of a pollen tube to
the egg (which is produced in the ovary) and, following fertilization, the ovary develops into a
fruit that protects, nourishes, and helps disperse developing embryos contained in its seeds.
Pollination and Fertilization
 The pollen tube grows through the ovary’s

tissues and penetrates the ovule, releases its
two sperms.
 One sperm fertilizes the egg and the other
fertilize the endosperm mother cell (double
fertilization).
 After pollination and double fertilization, an
embryo and nutritive tissue form in ovule,
which becomes a seed.
Stamen
 Each stamen consists of a
 anther, containing the microsporangia
 Filament supports the anther
 Meiosis of the diploid microspore mother cells in the

anther produces four haploid microspores. Each of these
develops into a pollen grain consisting of
 a larger tube cell and,
 a smaller generative cell/germ cell.
 At some point, depending on the species, the germ cell

divides by mitosis to produce 2 sperm cells.
Formation of
the male
gametophyte.
nucleus
Carpel
 Carpels consist of a
 stigma, usually mounted at the tip of a
 style with an
 ovary at the base.
 The megasporangia, called ovules, develop within the

ovary.
 Meiosis of the megaspore mother cell in each ovule
produces 4 haploid cells:
 a large megaspore and
 3 small cells that disintegrate.

Development of the megaspore
 The nucleus of the megaspore undergoes 3 successive
mitotic divisions. The 8 nuclei that result are
distributed and partitioned off by cell walls to form
the embryo sac. This is the mature female
gametophyte generation.
 The large central cell, contains 2 polar nuclei, will
after its fertilization develop into the endosperm of
the seed.
 Remaining 6 nuclei one of which is the egg
cell/gamete will start the new sporophyte generation
if it is fertilized.
Formation
of the
female
gametophyte
.
Pollination and Fertilization
 When a pollen grain reaches the stigma, it germinates into a
pollen tube. If it hasn't done so already, the germ cell divides by
mitosis forming 2 sperm cells. These, along with the tube
nucleus, migrate down the pollen tube as it grows through the
style, the micropyle, and into the ovule chamber.
 The pollen tube with its contents makes up the mature male
gametophyte generation.
 The pollen tube enters the ovule through the micropyle and
ruptures. One sperm cell fuses with the egg cell forming the
diploid zygote.
 The other sperm cell fuses with the polar nuclei forming the
endosperm nucleus. Most angiosperms have two polar nuclei so
the endosperm is triploid (3n).
 The tube nucleus disintegrates.
Pollination and
fertilization.
Cont… Pollination and Fertilization
 Pollination: the transfer of pollen grains to a
receptive stigma.
 Germination: the onset of growth of the embryo
and develops into a tubular structure.
 Fertilization: fusion of a sperm nucleus with an egg
nucleus.
 Double fertilization: only in plants; one sperm
nucleus fertilizes an egg and the other nucleus
fertilizes the endosperm mother cell; which gives rise
to the nutritive tissues.
Pollination and
Fertilization
 A mature ovule, which
encases an embryo and
food reserves inside a
protective coat is a seed.
 A mature ovary, with or
without additional parts
that have become
incorporated into it, is a
fruit.
Development of seeds
and fruits.
 Seed and
fruits are
structurally
adapted for
dispersal by
air currents,
water currents Exploding fruits disperse
and animals. their own seeds.
Airborne seeds and fruits
often have wings or plumes
Hitchhiking that enabling them to travel
fruits have further during wind
hooks or spines dispersal.
to attach to the
skin or fur of
animals.
Wind-pollinated vs insect-polinatted flowers
Wind-pollinated flower Insect-pollinated flower
Stamen hanging outside flower Stamens enclosed within flower

to release pollen
Feathery stigma to trap pollen Small stigma, sticky to hold
pollen and enclosed within
flower
Large quantity of pollen Less pollen produced
Non-scented Scented
Nectaries absent Nectaries present
Small petals not brightly Large coloured petals

coloured.
Asexual Reproduction
 Asexual reproduction requires only a single
parent and haploid gametes are not involved
(meiosis is absence).
 This is an efficient method of producing large
number of offspring quickly.
Vegetative Propagation
 Involves the formation of new plants from
different parts of the parents plant.
 Almost any part – root, stem, leaf or bud –
may serve the purpose.
 Parts for vegetative propagation: runners;
rhizomes; bulbs; suckers; and adventitious
plantlets.
 Asexual offspring are always genetically
identical to the parent plant.
Cont… Vegetative Propagation
 Examples:
(a) Strawberries form asexual offspring
from runners (horizontal stems).
(b) Potatoes form asexual offspring from tubers.

(c) Garlic form asexual offspring from bulbs.
(d) Kalanchoë daigremontiana form asexual
asexual offspring from
adventitious plantlets
Plant Tissue Culture

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CHAPTER 5

 The sporophyte generation thus starts

 Angiosperms are the flowering plants

offspring far enough away from the parent so that they

 The pollen tube grows through the ovary’s

 Filament supports the anther

 Meiosis of the diploid microspore mother cells in the

 a smaller generative cell/germ cell.

 At some point, depending on the species, the germ cell

 ovary at the base.

 The megasporangia, called ovules, develop within the

 3 small cells that disintegrate.

Stamen hanging outside flower Stamens enclosed within flower

Nectaries absent Nectaries present

Small petals not brightly Large coloured petals

(b) Potatoes form asexual offspring from tubers.

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