The Reproduction of Flowering Plants

1. The Reproduction of Flowering Plants Pgs 106 - 109

2. How does fertilization occur? • Most plants you see outside are flowering plants. • For them to reproduce, a sperm cell must reach and combine with an egg. • Pollen grains contain sperm cells and pollen grains are transported from the anther to the stigma. • Once pollen lands on a stigma, a tube grows from the pollen grain through the style to the ovary.

3. The ovary contains ovules which contain eggs. • Sperm cells within the pollen grain move down the pollen tube into the ovule. • Fertilization occurs as one of the sperm cells fuses with the egg inside.

4. From Fruit to Flower • After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed that contains a tiny undeveloped plant. • The ovary surrounding the ovule develops into a fruit to provide nutrients for the young plant.

6. Familiar Fruits • As the ovules are developing into seeds, the ovary develops into the fruit. • The fruit will swell and ripen while it holds the developing seeds.

7. Seeds Become New Plants • Once the seed is fully developed, the young plant becomes dormant, or stops growing. • Seeds can last long periods while dormant. • When a seed is planted in an environment that has water, oxygen and appropriate temperatures, it sprouts. • Germination is the sprouting of a seed. • The ideal temperature for germination for most plants is 27 degrees Celsius.

9. Other Methods of Reproduction • Flowering plants can reproduce asexually as well. • A part of a plant such as a stem or root produces a new plant rather than producing flowers, fruits or seeds. • Examples include potatoes, strawberry plants, and Kalanchoe plants.