7.03 Reproduction of Plants

As you might imagine, sexual reproduction (reproducing with male and female gametes) is a lot easier if the organism can move around. Plants, like the orchids in this section of S.Mi.L.E., can't move around to mate and make more plants. This makes reproduction a tricky business. Understanding the process by which plants reproduce is one of our project goals.

Dr. Ramie and Mr. Madison have asked that your work include an investigation into the wonderful world of flower and plant reproduction. We've learned a lot, but we certainly do need your help!

Project Flower Power

As you get into your investigation, it is important to understand that what you'll discover is pretty typical of flowering plants. It is equally important to remember that each kind of flower is just a little different—lots and lots of variety exists in the arrangement of the flower parts.

Let's get started.

Investigation 1: Parts of the Flower    |    Investigation 2: Flower Dissection

Pollination

Great job on Project Flower Power!

We're on our way to really understanding how flowering plants reproduce, but we need to take a closer look at pollination and seed formation to have the whole picture.

Think about flowers ... if there are flowers around, there are insects too. They come to a flower, attracted by the sweet smell and the color, to drink the sweet nectar. When they do, they brush up against the anthers and pick up the pollen (which carries male sex cells), and transfer it to the flower of another plant where the pollen is dusted onto the stigma, the female part of a flower.

When this transfer of pollen occurs—fertilization—the union of the male and female gametes takes place and new seeds form. This whole process is called pollination.

Continue this activity by moving on to the Travel Log tab.