Life Sciences Grade 12: Biodiversity of Plants and Reproduction

Flashcards covering the biodiversity of plants, focusing on plant reproduction. Includes key concepts, advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction, flower parts and their functions, pollination, fertilization, and crop improvement techniques.

What process defines sexual reproduction in plants?

Reproduction involving gametes (egg and sperm cells).

What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?

Genetic variation, potential for new species (speciation), and decreased risk of inheriting diseases.

What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?

Longer process, fewer offspring, higher energy needs, and reliance on pollinating agents.

What is asexual reproduction?

Reproduction without gametes, involving only one parent and producing offspring with identical genetic composition.

What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?

Large number of offspring, quick process, low energy needs, and offspring adapted to the environment.

What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Lack of genetic variation, making offspring vulnerable to environmental changes; can lead to overpopulation.

What is the reproductive organ in a plant?

The flower.

What is the function of petals?

Attract pollinators with their large size and color.

What is the function of sepals?

Protect the flower while it is in bud.

What is the function of the anther?

Contains pollen sacs and produces male gametes.

What is the function of the filament?

Supports the anther.

What is the function of the stigma?

Sticky surface that receives pollen.

What is the function of the style?

Connects the stigma to the ovary.

What is the function of the ovary?

Contains ovules and develops into the fruit after fertilization.

What is the function of the ovule?

Contains female gametes and develops into the seed after fertilization.

What is pollination?

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

What is cross-pollination?

The transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower.

What is self-pollination?

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

What happens during fertilization?

The male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote.

What are the three parts of an embryo?

The radicle, the plumule, and the axis.

What does the radicle develop into?

The root system.

What does the plumule develop into?

The first shoot.

What does a mature ovule develop into?

The seed.

What does the ovary become?

The fruit.

How is grafting used to improve crops asexually?

Inserting tissue from one plant (scion) with superior fruits into another (rootstock) chosen for its roots.

How is cross-pollination utilized to improve crops sexually?

To create cultivars, which are plants selected for desired characteristics.

What is a multicellular organism?

An organism made up of many cells.

What is genetic variation?

Results in offspring produced are genetically different from each other.

What is cloning?

Is a process during which identical offspring is produced from a parent

What is a clone?

Is the offspring produced during the process of cloning.

What is a complete flower?

Is one that has all four whorls it is called a complete flower.

What is a regular flower?

Is one in which the parts of each whorl are identical.

What is the style?

Is a long tube like structure that holds the stigma in a perfect position to receive pollen grains and provides a passage for the growth of the pollen tube.

What is the stigma?

Is a sticky structure found on top of the style to receive pollen grains.

What is the ovary?

Contains ovules with ova or eggs.

What is the receptacle?

The part of the flower from where all the whorls arise.

What is the pedicel?

A stalk attaches flower to the stem.

What are locules?

Are chambers or cavities found within the ovary.

What is a superior ovary?

The ovary arises from above the receptacle.

What are seed bearing plants with flowers called?

Angiosperm

What are seed bearing plants WITHOUT flowers called?

Gymnosperm

What type of flower contains small green flowers and no nectar?

A wind pollinated flower

What type of flower contains large showy petals and a pleasant smell?

A insect pollinated flower