Parts of a flower
A flower is the reproductive part of a plant. Its important parts are the stamen (the male part, which makes pollen) and the carpel (the female part, which contains the ovule). The top of the carpel is the sticky stigma that catches pollen.
Pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the stamen to the stigma. Pollen can be carried by:
- Insects — such as bees, drawn by bright petals and sweet nectar.
- Wind — which blows light pollen from one flower to another.
Key idea
Pollination = pollen moves from the stamen to the stigma. Fertilisation = the pollen's cell joins the ovule to form a seed.
Fertilisation and seeds
After pollination, the male cell from the pollen joins with the ovule inside the carpel. This is fertilisation. The fertilised ovule then grows into a seed, and the part around it grows into a fruit. When a seed lands in a good place, it can grow into a new plant. This is sexual reproduction in plants.
Example
A bee lands on a flower for nectar. Pollen sticks to its body and is carried to the next flower's stigma. This is insect pollination.
Remember
- Stamen makes pollen; carpel holds the ovule.
- Pollination moves pollen to the stigma; fertilisation forms a seed.
- Insects and wind are common pollinators.