Asked by Jennifer Feikis on Jul 06, 2024
Verified
Which of the following flower mechanisms would help prevent pollination by a foreign species?
A) A pollen tube only grows in the style of its own species.
B) The stigma is sticks only to its own species of pollen.
C) The timing of flowering varies by species.
D) Flowers attract a small number of specialized pollinators.
E) All of the answer choices describe mechanisms that reduce the chance of pollination by a foreign species.
Pollination
The transfer of pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, leading to fertilization and seed production.
Pollen Tube
In seed plants, a tube that forms when a pollen grain lands on the stigma and germinates. The tube grows, passing between the cells of the stigma and the style to reach the egg inside an ovule, where fertilization occurs.
Foreign Species
Species that are introduced to a new habitat where they are not naturally found, often leading to ecological imbalance.
- Identify the anatomical parts involved in the reproductive cycles of angiosperms, notably the formation of pollen grains and the event of double fertilization.
Verified Answer
NQ
Nguyen QuyenJul 09, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
All of the mechanisms described (A-D) can contribute to reducing the chance of pollination by a foreign species. By having pollen tubes that only grow in the style of its own species (A), the chances of successful fertilization by foreign pollen are greatly reduced. If the stigma of a flower only sticks to its own species of pollen (B), it will prevent foreign pollen from fertilizing the ovules. With a variation in the timing of flowering (C), it becomes less likely that foreign pollen will be present when a flower is receptive to fertilization. Furthermore, if flowers attract a small number of specialized pollinators (D), these pollinators are less likely to visit flowers of a foreign species.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the anatomical parts involved in the reproductive cycles of angiosperms, notably the formation of pollen grains and the event of double fertilization.