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what is pollinatio? |
. The transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma is called pollination. Insects can carry pollen. Insects such as bees are attracted to a flower by the scent and colour of the petals. The bee lands on the flower and feeds on the nectar. Nectar is a sweet sugary substance that the flower provides for the insects. Pollen from the anther is transferred to the bee's back. The bee flies to another flower of the same type, again attracted by the colour and the scent. While feeding on the second flower the stigma collects the pollen from the bee's back. Daisies, dandelions and roses are examples of plants that depend on insects for pollination. Moths and butterflies also pollinate flowers. Wind pollination Pollen can also be transferred from the anther to the stigma by the wind. In a wind pollinated flower the stamen releases light grains of pollen that are carried aloft by the wind. The feathery stigmas of the flowers trap the pollen grains as they float by. Only pollen from the same type of flower can grow on the stigma. Grasses are an example of plants that depend on the wind for pollination. In grass, flowers are grouped together in twos and threes forming spikelets. The flowers are small but they have the same basic structure as an insect pollinated flower. They have ovaries, stigmas, stamens and petals. |