Plant Reproduction

Life Science - Middle School

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Plant Reproduction People are attracted to the colors and smells of flowers, but these special traits are really meant to draw in pollinators. Pollinators, like insects, birds and even bats will pollinate flowers, which leads to their fertilization. This is so important that some plants use a lot of energy to make bright, showy flowers. Some flowers even have decorated petals with lines leading insects inside like a road map. Inside the flower are the plant’s reproductive organs. They are divided into male and female parts. The male parts include the stamens (1) made up of several long filaments (2) topped by club- shaped anthers (3). The anthers are covered with tiny pollen grains. When an insect or bird collects nectar inside a flower, it will bump the anthers and the pollen grains will stick to it. Then when it travels to the next flower, it will bring the pollen with it. The female parts of the flower include a long, central tube called the pistil (4). The tip, called the stigma (5), is sticky to collect pollen grains. This is pollination. Once attached, the pollen grains grow down the long, central tube, called the style (6). The ovary (7) at its base contains tiny eggs or ovules (8). When the pollen reaches them, fertilization is complete. Over time the fertilized ovules will grow into seeds. petal stigma (5) style (6) ovary (7) ovule (8) pistil (4) anther (3) filament (2) stem leaf stamen (1) As the seeds develop, the flower dies and the ovary grows a protective fleshy covering. This is the fruit and, like the flower, is meant to attract animals. The animals help spread the plant’s seeds. An example of this is an apple. A raccoon is attracted to a ripe apple and will eat it, seeds and all. Later the raccoon will pass the seeds in its scat in a new location. When the seeds receive rain water and sunlight, they will begin to root and grow a new plant. The plant’s cycle begins again.
________________ People are attracted to the colors and smells of flowers, but these special traits are really meant to draw in pollinators. Pollinators, like insects, birds and even bats will pollinate flowers which leads to their _____________________________. This is so important that some plants use a lot of energy to make bright, showy flowers. Some flowers even have decorated petals with lines leading insects inside like a road map. Inside the flower are the plant’s reproductive organs. They are divided into male and female parts. The male parts include the _________________________ (1) made up of several long _________________________ (2) topped by club-shaped __________________________(3). The anthers are covered with tiny _________________________ _________________________. When an insect or bird collects nectar inside a flower, it will bump the anthers and the pollen grains will stick to it. Then when it travels to the next flower, it will bring the pollen with it. The female parts of the flower include a long, central tube called the __________________________ (4). The tip, called the ____________________________(5), is sticky to collect pollen grains. This is pollination. Once attached, the pollen grains grow down the long, central tube, called the ___________________ (6). The ____________________ (7) at its base contains tiny eggs or _________________________ (8). When the pollen reaches them fertilization is complete. Over time the fertilized ovules will grow into ________________________. As the seeds develop, the flower dies and the ovary grows a protective fleshy covering. This is the fruit and, like the flower, is meant to attract animals. The animals then help spread the plant’s seeds. An example of this is an apple. A raccoon is attracted to a ripe apple and will eat it, seeds and all. Later the raccoon will pass the seeds in its scat in a new location. When the seeds receive rain water and sunlight they will begin to root and grow a new plant. The plant’s cycle begins again. stamen (1) _______________ (3) _______________ (2) pistil (4) ________________ (5) ________________ (6) ________________ (7) ________________ (8) stem leaf 94-4043 Plant Reproduction