Plant Reproduction and Diversity

Flashcards on plant reproduction and diversity, covering topics like double fertilization, angiosperm life cycles, self-pollination prevention, seed dispersal, and the characteristics of monocots and eudicots.

Endosperm

The product of a sperm combining with the two haploid nuclei of the central cell in angiosperms, forming a triploid cell that provides nutrition for the embryo.

Synergids

Structures that release chemical signals to attract a growing pollen tube in plant reproduction.

Double Fertilization

The process where a sperm combines with the egg to form the zygote and another sperm combines with the two haploid nuclei of the central cell to form a triploid cell.

Seed

Structures that result from the ovule after the angiosperm life cycle.

Fruit

The modified ovary wall whose main function is for the distribution or dispersal of the seed.

Dioecious

A term used to describe plants with separate male and female individuals.

Monoecious

The term that describes a plant that possesses both male and female flowers on the same plant.

Genetic Self Incompatibility

Molecular mechanisms that can prevent or halt the growth of a pollen tube after pollination has occurred, to prevent self-fertilization.

Vivipary

The phenomenon where seeds sprout while still attached to the parent plant.

Abscisic Acid (ABA)

A hormone that holds the seed in a dormant state.

Gibberellins (GA)

A family of hormones trigger seed sprouting and the end of dormancy.

Angiosperms

Plants where the microgametophyte does not process antheridia and the megagametophyte does not possess archegonia.

Fitness

Describes the fitness of a species in terms of having the most offspring.

Animal Pollinators

A type of mutualism evolved between flowering plants an animals to help carry out their life cycle.

Monocot

A type of angiosperm which possesses one baby leaf which comes out of the seed when it sprouts.

Eudicot

A type of angiosperm which possess two baby leaves which come out of the seed when it sprouts.

Pollinator Specialization

When flowers evolve to attract one animal to be their courier, specializing for a particular sort of animal to come and be its pollinator

Epsicic Acid.

Having this high of a concentration can cause a negative impact that keeps seeds dormant.