Introduction to Plant Reproduction

Define Propagation

Propagation The reproduction of plants either sexually or

asexually.

Define sexual reproduction and the terms associated with it.

Sexual Reproduction: The union of the female and male sex cells to

produce a seed (embryo). Ovule: female sex cell. Pollen: male sex cell. Embryo (seed-germ): an immature plant.

*Sexual reproduction involves the creation of a genetically new individual.

List and explain the different types of seeds. Monocots:

Seeds with one seed leaf. Leaves have parallel

veins. 1 solid seed. Stem vacular bundles

scattered. Roots are adventitious Flowers in multiples of

three. Pollen with single

furrow or pore

Dicots Seeds with 2 seed leaves

or 2 cotyledons Veins are “webbed.” Pollen with three furrows

or pores. Flowers parts in

multiples of four or five. Stem vascular bundles in

a ring.

Monocots

Dicot Leaf

Dicot

List and explain the different types of flowers. Complete Incomplete

Complete Flowers Sepals The outer part of the flower.

In open flowers, the sepals are found at the base of the plant.

PetalsThe brightly colored, soft tissue that attracts insects.

Stamens The male part of the flower that has an

anther at the end of it to produce pollen.

Pistil Stigma

The opening of the pistil. Style

The tube-like structure that connects the stigma and ovary.

Ovary The site of fertilization and growth of the

seed.

Stigma, Style & Ovary

Ovary

Complete Flower

Complete Flower

Incomplete Flower An incomplete flower

is one that lacks one or more of the four principal components identified in a complete flower.

Explain the difference between a perfect and imperfect flower A perfect flower is

one with both the stamen and pistil

An imperfect flower is one that lacks one of the sex organs.

Define pollination, fertilization and germination. Pollination

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

Fertilization The union of the pollen

and ovule cells.

Germination The sprouting of a seed.

Define asexual reproduction Asexual Reproduction:

The reproduction of a plant without the uniting of a pollen and ovule.

Asexual reproduction is often referred to as vegetative propagation since no seed is involved in the formation of the new plant.

It is known as a clone. Leaves, stems or roots may be used to grow a new

plant. *Produces a genetically identical plant.

List the benefits of vegetative propagation.

True traits of the parents Maintains genetic purity with 100% replication of parent plant.

No seed Some plants do not produce a seed or the seeds are too

small to work with. Accelerates the time it takes to get a new plant to the

market Traditionally, it would take up to 40 years to get a new

plant to the general public; however, micropropagation can yield marketable levels of plants within 8 to 12 years.

List and explain the different types of vegetative propagation.

Layering Involves getting roots to grow from the stem. I.e., magnolia tree

Cutting Using a short section of plant stems for propagation.

Budding Taking a bud from one plant and moving it to another.

Grafting Placing a section of a stem of one plant onto another plant.

Tissue culture Taking a group of cells or a single cell and growing it to a plant.

Layering

Cutting

Tissue Culture