Plant Reproduction

Alternation of Generations

A plant life cycle that alternates between a haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte stage.

Sporophyte

The diploid stage of a plant that produces spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid stage of a plant that produces gametes.

Seedless Plants

Plants that reproduce using spores instead of seeds.

Seed Plants

Plants that reproduce using seeds.

Gymnosperms

Seed plants that produce naked seeds

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruit.

Pistil (Carpel)

Female reproductive structure of a flower.

Stigma

Sticky top part of the pistil where pollen lands.

Style

Tube-like structure connecting the stigma to the ovary.

Ovary

Structure containing ovules in a flower.

Ovule

Structure that develops into a seed after fertilization.

Petal

Colored flower structure that attracts pollinators.

Sepal

Leaf-like structure that protects the flower bud.

Stamen

Male reproductive structure of a flower.

Anther

Part of the stamen that produces pollen.

Filament

Stalk that supports the anther.

Complete Flower

Flower containing all four major structures: sepals

Incomplete Flower

Flower missing one or more major structures.

Perfect Flower

Flower containing both male and female reproductive structures.

Imperfect Flower

Flower containing only male or only female structures.

Monoecious

A plant with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

Dioecious

Male and female flowers are found on different plants.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.

Self-Pollination

Pollination occurring within the same plant.

Cross-Pollination

Pollination between different plants of the same species.

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female gametes.

Germination

Sprouting of a seed into a new plant.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving one parent without gamete fusion.

Tissue Culture

Growing plant cells in a nutrient medium to produce new plants.