Plant Reproduction & Adaptations Study Guide
1️ Terminology (Q1.1 & Other Definitions)
Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
Fertilization: The fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
Germination: The process by which a seed develops into a seedling under suitable
conditions.
Endemic: A species that is naturally found only in a specific geographic region.
2️. Pollination vs. Fertilization (Q1.2)
Feature Pollination Fertilization
Definition Pollination is the transfer of pollen Fertilization is the union
from the male anther of one flower to of the male and female
a female stigma of the same anther gametes to form a
plant/flower. ( Transfer of pollen to zygote. (Fusion of male
stigma ) & female gametes )
Process External (by wind, insects, water etc.) Internal ( inside ovule )
Results In Pollen reaching ovule Formation of a zygote &
seed
Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction (Q1.2)
Feature Sexual Reproduction Asexual Reproduction
Definition Involves fusion of No gametes involved
gametes ( sperm & ova )
Genetic Variation High ( offspring are Low ( offspring are
different from parents ) clones )
Energy Use High ( needs pollination, Low ( simple cell
fertilization, etc.) division, no mating
needed)
Examples Flowering plants, Budding, grating,
humans runners, tubers.
3. Angiosperm Flowers & Daisies (Q13)
Angiosperms: Plants that produce flowers & seeds enclosed in fruits.
Daisies vs. Other Angiosperms:
• Daisies are composite flowers (made up of many tiny flowers in a single head).
• Each daisy "petal" is actually an individual flower
Economic Benefits of Asexual Reproduction (Q13, Slide 48)
Why it's useful:
Fast and easy crop production.
Genetically identical plants ensure consistent quality.
No need for pollinators (useful in controlled environments).
Disease-resistant plants can be mass-produced (e.g., bananas, potatoes).
Propagation is faster than sexual reproduction from seed due to the absence of gamete
formation and pollination. It produces consistent, superior-quality plants in large quantities.
Micro-propagation, a tissue culture method, is preferred over traditional crop-breeding
methods for its ability to mass propagate commercially important crops quickly, produce
disease-free plants, and occur year-round. It can also be used with genetic engineering to
propagate transgenic plants from genetically modified cells.
Magnification Calculation (Q13)
Formula:
Magnification= Image Size/ Actual Size
E.g. If an image is 10mm and the actual size is 2mm:
1. 10/2 = 5x magnification
Measure the organisms with your ruler from A-B (I)
2. Divide this number by 5mm
3. Your answer will be the magnification of the
organism
(don’t forget to place an ‘x’ at the end of the
amount) e.g. 533x
4. Polyploidy (Q1.4)
Definition: A condition where a plant has more than two sets of chromosomes (e.g.,
3n, 4n).
Advantages:
Larger fruit and flowers.
Increased resistance to diseases & harsh environments.
Higher yield (useful for crops like wheat & strawberries).
5. Seed Banks & Aerial Seed Banks (Q1.5)
Why are seed banks important?
• Preserve genetic diversity.
• Protect endangered plant species.
• Store seeds for future crop breeding.
Why are aerial seed banks important?
📌 What are Aerial Seed Banks?
An aerial seed bank is when a plant stores its seeds above ground in structures like cones,
pods, or fruits, instead of releasing them immediately. These seeds remain attached to the
plant until conditions are ideal for germination.
Example: Pine trees (conifers) keep seeds inside cones, which only open after extreme
heat (e.g., wildfires).
6. Plant Embryo Sketch (Q1.6)
Possible labels:
• Radicle (future root)
• Plumule (future shoot)
• Cotyledons (food storage)
• Seed coat (protection)
