Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
You’ve learned that plants can reproduce through various methods, including asexual reproduction. In flowering plants, reproduction typically occurs sexually. The diagram below shows the 12 main parts of a flower involved in sexual reproduction.
The carpel is the female reproductive organ and the stamen is the male reproductive organ. Most flowers contain both a carpel and stamen.
The diagram labels include: petal, anther, filament, stamen, style, stigma, ovary, carpel, sepal, receptacle, and ovule.
Quick Fact
Flowers that contain both male and female reproductive parts are called bisexual flowers.
Important Concept
The carpel (also called pistil) is the female reproductive structure of a flower. It includes the stigma, style, and ovary, where ovules are found.
Common Mistake
Don't confuse the stamen with the carpel. The stamen is the male part of the flower and includes the anther and filament, while the carpel is the female part.
Questions
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The stamen (male part) and the carpel or pistil (female part).
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The ovary contains ovules and develops into fruit after fertilization.
Did You Know?
Some flowers only have stamens (male flowers) while others only have carpels (female flowers). For example, in date palms, male flowers grow on one tree and female flowers on another.
Fertilization and Fruit Formation
The female gamete is found in the ovule, and the male gamete is found in the pollen grain. During fertilization, a pollen grain lands on the stigma of the carpel. A pollen tube forms and grows down through the style toward the ovule, carrying the male gamete to the female gamete for fertilization.
After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed. The ovary grows and becomes a fruit. For example, a tomato is actually a fruit.
The fertilized ovules become seeds, and the ovary tissue around them becomes the fruit that protects the seeds and helps with their dispersal.
Quick Fact
Botanically, many foods we call vegetables—like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers—are actually fruits because they develop from the ovary after fertilization.
Important Concept
A fruit develops from the ovary of a flower after fertilization. It contains the seeds, which come from the fertilized ovules. This process ensures the protection and dispersal of the seeds.
Questions
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Pollen sticks to a bee’s body when it visits a flower. When the bee visits another flower, it transfers the pollen, helping with pollination.
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Brightly colored petals, strong scents, nectar guides, and sweet nectar help attract insects to flowers.