Flower Structure and Pollination: Cross and Self Pollination

Overview

Recall questions on Cross and Self Pollination.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Define self-pollination.

   Model answer

   Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen to the stigma of the same flower, or to another flower on the same plant.

2. 2

   What genetic consequence does self-pollination have for the offspring?

   Model answer

   It reduces genetic variation, because all the alleles come from a single parent plant.

3. 3

   What two advantages does self-pollination bring to a plant?

   Model answer

   It does not depend on a pollinating agent, so reproduction is more reliable, and far less pollen is wasted.

4. 4

   Why is cross-pollination usually of greater long-term benefit to a species?

   Model answer

   It increases genetic variation, so the population is more likely to contain individuals able to survive a change in conditions.

5. 5

   What is dichogamy?

   Model answer

   Dichogamy is the ripening of the anthers and the stigma of a flower at different times, which helps to prevent self-pollination.

6. 6

   Distinguish between protandry and protogyny.

   Model answer

   In protandry the anthers ripen before the stigma becomes receptive, whereas in protogyny the stigma is receptive before the anthers ripen.

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