flowers lecture 13

Sporophyte

The diploid (2n) stage of the plant life cycle that produces spores.

Gametophyte

The haploid (n) stage of the plant life cycle that produces gametes.

Double Fertilization

A unique process in angiosperms where one sperm fertilizes the egg to form a zygote and the other fuses with two polar nuclei to form endosperm.

Embryo Sac

The female gametophyte in angiosperms that contains the egg cell.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower.

Endosperm

A triploid (3n) tissue that provides nutrition to the developing embryo.

Self-Incompatibility

A mechanism that prevents fertilization when pollen and stigma are genetically similar.

Microspores

Haploid (n) spores that develop into male gametophytes (pollen).

Megaspores

Haploid (n) spores that develop into female gametophytes (embryo sac).

Fertilization

The fusion of male and female gametes leading to the formation of a zygote.

Stigma

The part of the carpel that receives pollen during pollination.

Ovary

The female reproductive part of the flower that contains ovules and develops into fruit.

Pollen Tube

A tube that forms after pollen germinates, carrying sperm to the ovule.

Fleshy Fruits

Fruits that have a soft, edible pericarp and aid in animal-mediated seed dispersal.

Dormancy

A state in which the embryo is metabolically inactive and waiting for favorable conditions to germinate.

Gibberellin (GA)

A hormone produced by the embryo that stimulates the production of enzymes to support seed germination.

Seed Formation

The development of a zygote into a seed after fertilization.

Haploid

Having a single set of unpaired chromosomes (n), as seen in gametes.

Diploid

Having two complete sets of chromosomes (2n), as seen in sporophytes.

Floral Organs

The different parts of a flower, including sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels.

Aleurone

The outer layer of the endosperm in seeds that produces enzymes for digestion.