Understanding Self-Pollination — Passage
Self-pollination is a type of reproduction that happens in many flowering plants. It occurs when pollen from a flower lands on the same flower’s stigma or on another flower of the same plant. This means that the plant does not need pollen from another individual to reproduce. The plant uses its own pollen to fertilize its ovules and produce seeds.
In self-pollination, both the male and female reproductive parts are found on the same plant. This allows the plant to reproduce on its own, even if there are no other plants nearby. Plants like peas, tomatoes, and some orchids use self-pollination. Since the pollen and ovule come from the same plant, the offspring usually have very little genetic variation. They are often genetically similar or identical to the parent.
While this method can be helpful for survival when pollinators like bees are not available, it also has some drawbacks. Without genetic diversity, the plant population may be more vulnerable to disease or environmental changes. If all the plants have the same traits, they may all be affected in the same way.
Self-pollination is different from cross-pollination, where pollen comes from a different plant. Cross-pollination usually leads to more variation in traits, which can be helpful for a species’ long-term survival.
Understanding self-pollination helps scientists and farmers predict how traits are passed on in plants. It also explains why some crops are more uniform in size and shape.
Fun Fact: The pea plants that Gregor Mendel used in his experiments were naturally self-pollinating, which helped him control how traits were passed on from one generation to the next!
What is self-pollination?
Pollen from one plant to anotherPollen landing on the same plantMixing flowers of two speciesPollination done by insects onlyWhat part of the plant receives the pollen?
LeafRootStigmaStemWhich of these plants uses self-pollination?
RosesPeasCornPine treesWhy is genetic variation low in self-pollination?
It uses no pollenThe seeds don’t formTraits change oftenPollen and ovules come from same plantWhat is one advantage of self-pollination?
Needs many insectsWorks with few plants aroundIncreases gene mixingChanges plant shapeWhat is a risk of low genetic diversity?
Faster growthStronger flowersVulnerability to diseaseMore pollinatorsWhat is the main idea of the passage?
Bees help all pollinationSelf-pollination causes plants to dieSelf-pollination helps reproduction but limits variationPlants need other plants to pollinateHow did self-pollinating pea plants help Gregor Mendel?
They grew fasterThey didn’t need waterHe could track inherited traits easilyThey lived for many yearsRelated Content
