4.

5 SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN FLOWERING PLANTS

CHAPTER 4 :
REPRODUCTION & GROWTH
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Identify male & female structure in a flower;
Describe the formation of pollen grains;
Describe the formation of the embryo sac in the ovule;
Describe the formation of pollen tube;
Describe the formation of zygote;
Describe the formation of triploid nucleus;
Conceptualise double fertilisation;
Relate the structure of a fruit to the flower parts;
Explain the importance of double fertilisation for the
survival of flowering plants.
THE GENERAL STRUCTURE OF A
FLOWER
FLOWER = a modified shoot which is the
reproductive structure of angiosperms.
The Structures Of Flower
Anther
Filament
Stamen
Style
Stigma
Petal
Sepal
Ovary
Ovul
Each part of the flower serves a certain
function :
the pedicel supports the flower in the best position
for pollination;
The petals are usually big & brightly coloured to
attract insects @ birds for pollination;
The sepals protect the flower when it is still a bud.
The male structure = stamen
(consists of a filament & an anther).

The anther functions in producing
pollen grains & is supported by the
filament.

The male gametes are found in the
pollen grain.
The female structure = pistil (consists of
stigma, style & ovary).

Inside the ovary, one @ more ovules can
be found.

The female gametes @ egg cell is found
in the ovule.

Pollen grain are received by the stigma.
THE FORMATION OF POLLEN GRAINS
Are formed in the anther.

Each anther contains 4 chambers called
pollen sacs in which pollen grains are
formed.

The tapetum provides nourishment to the
developing pollen grains.
A Cross Section Of Anther
Each pollen sac contains many
diploid pollen mother cells
meiosis a tetrad of 4 haploid
cell separate & become the
pollen grain.

The haploid nucleus divides by
mitosis to produce a generative
nucleus & a tube nucleus.

Pollen grain is a microspore &
not a gamete.

Male gamete are form when the
generative nucleus divides.
POLLEN GRAINS
THE FORMATION OF EMBRYO SAC
Embryo sac = a structure containing the egg cell
found in the ovule.

Initially, the ovule contains similar diploid cells,
nucellus one of the cells enlarges to become the
embryo sac mother cell.

Embryo sac mother cell meiosis 4 haploid cells,
3 disintegrate.
The remaining cell (which represents the
young embryo sac) will undergo mitosis thrice
to produce 8 nuclei.

2 of the nuclei will move to the middle of the
embryo sac polar nuclei.

Other 6 nuclei are enveloped with cytoplasm
& become cells 3 antipodal cells, 2
synergids, 1 egg cell mature embryo
(megaspore containing the female gamete)
Only the egg cell & the 2 polar nuclei are
important in fertilisation the other will
disintegrate.

The ovule becomes enveloped by 2 layers of
integuments, leaving a small opening
(micropyle) connected to the ovary by
funicle. megaspore (embryo sac containing
the female gamete).
The Formation Of Embryo Sac
The Formation Of Embryo Sac
THE FORMATION OF POLLEN TUBE
POLLINATION = the transfer of pollen from the
stamens to the stigma
Self-pollination / cross pollination

The stigma secretes a sugary liquid which stimulates
germination.

The pollen germinates a pollen tube is produces
through the tissues of the style into an ovule.

The generative nucleus divides by mitosis to produce
2 male nuclei.
FERTILISATION
When the pollen tube arrives at the embryo sac, the
tube nucleus disintegrates.

1 of the male nuclei fuses with egg cell to form a
diploid zygote develops into embryo which consist
of the radicle, plumule, & 1 @ 2 cotyledons.

The other male nucleus fuses with the 2 polar nuclei
to form a triploid nucleus (3n) endosperm (store
food for the developing embryo).
The ovary becomes a fruit pericarp & the
ovules become seeds.

The outer integument becomes the seed coat
@ testa (to protect the seed)

The inner integument becomes tegmen, a
thin membrane underneath the testa.

All parts of the flower wither away.
PERICARP MODE OF FRUIT
DISPERSAL
Fleshy, succulent;
edible
Eaten by animals seeds are
then discarded, far from the
parent.
Hook / spines Sticks to fur of passing
animals
Wing-shaped; dry &
light; feathery hairs
Easily carried by wind.
Fibrous tissue with
many air spaces
Carried by water.
Uneven drying of fruit
wall causing sudden
rupture
Seeds dispersed by explosive
mechanism
Double Fertilisation In Flowering Plants
THE IMPORTANCE OF DOUBLE
FERTILISATION FOR THE SURVIVAL OF
FLOWERING PLANTS
Double fertilisation is important for two
reasons :
By formation of the 3n nucleus endosperm, the
parent plants provide an important nutrient store
for the developing plant.

It is ensure that the nutritive tissue formed is
not wasted because it will be used by the growing
embryo the endosperm only develops if the
ovum has been fertilised.
The provision of food for the embryo is important for
the survival of flowering plants.

The presence of food enables the embryo to live for a
long period of time even when conditions are
unfavourable such as dry & cold conditions.

When favourable the food in the endosperm will
be broken down into simple molecules such as sugar,
amino acids, glycerol & fatty acids absorbed by
the embryo to build tissues for germination.
DONT FORGET
TO DO
CHECKPOINT 4.5
(page 147).
PLEASE MAKE A
REVISION!!!