Plant Reproduction

sporopollenin

a highly resistant, durable polymer that forms the outer wall of spores and pollen,, protecting them from drying, UV damage and decay

Spore

a haploid reproductive cell that can grow into a new organism without fertilization

sporophyte

the diploid stage in the alternation of generations that produces spores via meiosis

gametophyte

the haploid stage that produces gametes by mitosis

sporangium

a structure in which the sporophyte produces spores through meiosis

Ovule

a structure in seed plants that contains the female gametophyte; after fertilization, it becomes the seed

pollen

the male gametophyte of seed plants, containing cells that develop into sperm

pollination

the transfer of pollen to the part of the plant containing the ovules

seed

a mature ovule containing the embryo, stored nutrients and a protective seed coat

pollen cone

the male cone in gymnosperms that produce pollen

ovulate cone

the female cone in gymnosperms that produce ovules and later seeds

pollen tube

a tube that grows from pollen grain into the ovule, allowing sperm to reach the egg

seed coat

the outer protective layer of a seed formed from the integument of the ovule

dormancy

a resting state in which seeds pause growth until conditions are favorable for germination

sepal

leaflike structure that protects the flower bud before it opens

petal

often colorful structure that attracts pollinators

stamen

the male reproductive part of a flower; made of anther + filament

carpel

the female reproductive organ in a flower; includes the stigma, style and ovary

ovary

the base of the carpel that contains ovules; develops into a fruit after fertilization

stigma

the sticky surface at the top of the the carpel when pollen land and germinates

style

a stalk connecting the stigma to the ovary; the pollen tube grow through it to reach the ovule

anther

part of the stamen where pollen grains develop and are released

self compatible

a plant that can successfully fertilize itself with its own pollen

self incompatible

a plant that rejects its own pollen, forcing cross pollination

outcrossing

reproduction involving pollen from a different individual, increasing genetic diversity

double fertilization

one sperm fertilizes the egg ( forming the embryo ) and the other sperm fertilizes the central cell ( forming the endosperm )

endosperm

a nutrient rich tissue in seeds formed by double fertilization; it feeds the developing embryo

fruit

a mature ovary that protect and helps disperse seeds

apomixis

a type of asexual seed formation where seeds forms without fertilization

vegetative reproduction

asexual reproduction using non seed structure such as stems, roots, or leaves