3a - Plant Reproduction

Anther

花药 (huāyào) The part of the stamen (male reproductive organ) in a flower that produces and contains pollen grains.

Asexual Reproduction

（植物）无性生殖 ((zhíwù) wúxìng shēngzhí) Reproduction in plants that involves only one parent and produces offspring genetically identical to the parent (clones), e.g., via runners, tubers, bulbs, cuttings.

Bulbs

鳞茎 (línjīng) Underground storage organs consisting of a short stem surrounded by fleshy, modified leaves that store food. New plants can grow from buds on the bulb, a form of asexual reproduction (e.g., onion, tulip).

Carpel (Pistil)

心皮 (xīnpí) / 雌蕊 (círuǐ) The female reproductive part of a flower, typically consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary (which contains ovules).

Cotyledon

子叶 (zǐyè) The seed leaf (or leaves) within the embryo of a seed plant; provides nutrients to the embryo during germination.

Cross-pollination

异花传粉 (yìhuā chuánfěn) The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower on one plant to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species. Promotes genetic variation.

Cuttings

扦插 (qiānchā) A method of asexual plant propagation where a piece of a stem or leaf is cut from a parent plant and induced to form roots and grow into a new, genetically identical plant.

Dicots (Dicotyledonous plants)

双子叶植物 (shuāngzǐyè zhíwù) Flowering plants (angiosperms) whose embryos have two cotyledons (seed leaves). Other characteristics often include net-like leaf venation and flower parts in multiples of 4 or 5.

Endosperm

胚乳 (pēirǔ) A nutritive tissue within the seeds of most flowering plants, which provides food (starch, oils, proteins) for the developing embryo. In some seeds, it's absorbed by the cotyledons.

Fertilisation

（植物）受精 ((zhíwù) shòujīng) The fusion of the male gamete (from the pollen grain) with the female gamete (ovum/egg cell within the ovule) to form a zygote, which develops into the embryo.

Fruit

果实 (guǒshí) The mature, ripened ovary of a flowering plant, which encloses and protects the seed(s) and aids in their dispersal.

Gamete

（植物）配子 ((zhíwù) pèizǐ) A reproductive (sex) cell in plants; the male gamete is found within the pollen grain, and the female gamete (ovum/egg) is within the ovule.

Germination

发芽 (fāyá) The process by which a seed or spore begins to grow and develop into a seedling, typically requiring suitable conditions of water, oxygen, and temperature.

Insect Pollination

虫媒传粉 (chóngméi chuánfěn) The transfer of pollen from one flower to another by insects (e.g., bees, butterflies). Flowers are often brightly colored, scented, and produce nectar to attract insects.

Monocots (Monocotyledonous plants)

单子叶植物 (dānzǐyè zhíwù) Flowering plants (angiosperms) whose embryos have one cotyledon (seed leaf). Other characteristics often include parallel leaf venation and flower parts in multiples of 3.

Ovaries

（植物）子房 ((zhíwù) zǐfáng) The basal, swollen part of the carpel (female reproductive organ) of a flower, which contains the ovules. After fertilization, the ovary develops into the fruit.

Ovules

胚珠 (pēizhū) Structures within the ovary of a flower that contain the female gamete (egg cell/ovum). After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed.

Ovum (plural: Ova)

（植物）卵细胞 ((zhíwù) luǎnxìbāo) The female gamete within the ovule of a plant.

Petal

花瓣 (huābàn) Modified leaves that are often brightly colored to attract pollinators to a flower.

Plumule

胚芽 (pēiyá) The part of a plant embryo that develops into the shoot (stem and leaves) of the young plant.

Pollen grain

花粉粒 (huāfěnlì) Microscopic structures produced in the anthers of flowers that contain the male gametes of seed plants.

Pollen tube

花粉管 (huāfěnguǎn) A tube that grows from a pollen grain after it lands on the stigma, down through the style to an ovule, delivering the male gametes for fertilization.

Pollination

传粉 (chuánfěn) The transfer of pollen grains from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower. This is a prerequisite for fertilization in seed plants.

Radicle

胚根 (pēigēn) The part of a plant embryo that develops into the primary root of the young plant.

Runners (Stolons)

匍匐茎 (púfújīng) / 走茎 (zǒujīng) Horizontal stems that grow along the ground surface from the parent plant. New plants (plantlets) can develop from buds at nodes along the runner, a form of asexual reproduction (e.g., strawberry).

Seed

种子 (zhǒngzǐ) A structure formed from a fertilized ovule, containing the plant embryo, a food store (cotyledons or endosperm), and a protective seed coat (testa).

Seed dispersal

种子传播 (zhǒngzǐ chuánbō) The movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant, reducing competition and allowing colonization of new areas. Can occur via wind, water, animals, or explosive mechanisms.

Self-pollination

自花传粉 (zìhuā chuánfěn) The transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the same flower, or to the stigma of another flower on the same plant. Leads to less genetic variation.

Sepal

萼片 (èpiàn) Leaf-like structures that typically enclose and protect the flower bud before it opens. Collectively called the calyx.

Sexual Reproduction

（植物）有性生殖 ((zhíwù) yǒuxìng shēngzhí) Reproduction in plants involving the fusion of male and female gametes (from pollen and ovules respectively) to produce a zygote, leading to the formation of seeds. Promotes genetic variation.

Stamen

雄蕊 (xióngruǐ) The male reproductive part of a flower, typically consisting of an anther (produces pollen) and a filament (stalk).

Stigma

柱头 (zhùtóu) The receptive tip of the carpel (female reproductive part) of a flower, which is often sticky or feathery to trap pollen grains.

Style

花柱 (huāzhù) The stalk-like part of the carpel of a flower that connects the stigma to the ovary. The pollen tube grows down through the style.

Testa

种皮 (zhǒngpí) The protective outer coat of a seed.

Wind Pollination

风媒传粉 (fēngméi chuánfěn) The transfer of pollen from one flower to another by wind. Flowers are often small, inconspicuous, lack scent/nectar, and produce large amounts of light, dusty pollen.