BRAINCAKEPollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower of the same species. It must happen before fertilisation, because the male gametes inside the pollen cannot move on their own to reach the egg.
Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen to the stigma of the same flower, or of another flower on the same plant. It is reliable but gives less genetic variation. Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen to a flower on a different plant of the same species. It increases genetic variation, because the gametes come from two different parents.
Many plants have features that promote cross-pollination, such as anthers and stigmas maturing at different times, separate male and female flowers or plants, or genetic self-incompatibility.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
Key terms in this lesson
- ovule
- The structure in a flower's ovary that contains the egg cell and develops into a seed after fertilisation.
More in Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
- The Female Gamete
- Gametogenesis in Plants
- Formation of Pollen
- Formation of Plant Egg Cells
- Internal Fertilisation
- External Fertilisation
- Fertilisation in Humans
- Fertilisation in Plants
All 28 lessons in Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics