Flower Structure, Reproduction, and Seed Dispersal

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the anatomical parts of flowers, the mechanisms of pollination and fertilization, and the various methods of seed dispersal as described in the lecture notes.

Flower

The reproductive organ of the plant.

Sepals

Parts of the flower that protect the flower bud.

Petals

Flower parts used to attract insects.

Stamens

Male reproductive organs that produce pollen.

Carpel/Pistil

The female reproductive organ of a flower.

Pollination

The process of transferring pollen from the stamen to the stigma.

Stigma

The top part of the pistil where pollen is received.

Insect-pollinated flowers

Flowers that are usually colorful and fragrant to attract insects.

Wind-pollinated flowers

Flowers that are usually inconspicuous and produce large amounts of light pollen carried by the wind.

Fertilization

The process occurring after pollination where a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell inside the ovule.

Pollen tube

A structure that grows from a pollen grain on the stigma down to the ovary.

Fruit

The developed ovary of a flower after fertilization which protects seeds and helps in their dispersal.

Animal dispersal

A method of spreading offspring where animals eat fruit and excrete seeds elsewhere or seeds stick to their fur.

Wind dispersal

A method of spreading offspring where seeds have adaptations like fluff or wings to be carried by the wind.

Water dispersal

A method of spreading offspring where seeds float and travel via water (e.g., coconut).

Self-dispersal

A method where the plant itself ejects seeds forcefully.