pollen
Definition
Pollen is a fine powder produced by plants. It is made up of tiny grains that contain male sex cells. Pollen is used by plants to reproduce.
Pollen grains are very small, typically about 20 to 200 micrometres in diameter. They are made up of a hard outer layer called the exine and a soft inner layer called the intine. The exine is covered in tiny bumps and ridges that help the pollen grain to attach to the female flower.
Pollen grains are produced in the male anthers of flowers. When the anthers are ripe, they burst open and release the pollen grains. The pollen grains are then carried by the wind or by insects to the female stigmas of flowers.
If a pollen grain lands on a compatible stigma, it will germinate and grow a pollen tube. The pollen tube will grow down the style of the flower and into the ovary. The pollen tube will then deliver the male sex cells to the ovules in the ovary.
If the male sex cells fertilise the ovules, the ovules will develop into seeds. The seeds will then grow into new plants.
Pollen is an important part of the plant lifecycle. It is how plants reproduce and create new plants.
How can the word be used?
The pollen from the pine trees was making me sneeze.
Different forms of the word
Noun: the fine powdery substance produced by flowering plants, which contains the male gametes.
Verb: to pollinate (a plant) with pollen.
Adjective: relating to pollen.
Adverb: in the form of pollen.
Etymology
The word "pollen" has several different forms, depending on its usage. Here are some of the most common forms:
Noun: the fine powdery substance produced by flowering plants, which contains the male gametes.
Verb: to pollinate (a plant) with pollen.
Adjective: relating to pollen.
Adverb: in the form of pollen.
The word "pollen" comes from the Latin word "pollen", which means "fine flour". The original meaning of the word was "fine, powdery substance", and it was first used to refer to pollen in the 17th century.
Question
What does pollen do?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Define pollen and explain its role in plant reproduction. Describe how pollen is transferred between plants and discuss the importance of pollination in ensuring plant diversity and food production.
Answer:
Pollen is a fine, powdery substance produced by the male reproductive organs (anthers) of flowering plants. It carries the plant's male gametes (sperm cells) needed for fertilising the female reproductive organs (ovules) to initiate seed formation.
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another, either within the same plant or between different plants. This transfer can occur through various mechanisms, including wind, water, or animal pollinators like insects, birds, and bats.
The importance of pollination extends beyond plant reproduction. It plays a vital role in maintaining plant diversity and ecosystem balance. Many plants rely on animal pollinators for successful fertilisation, and in turn, these plants provide animals with nectar and pollen as food sources.
Moreover, pollination is critical for global food production. Crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts rely on pollination to produce seeds and fruits. Without efficient pollination, yields and crop quality would decline, impacting both human and animal diets.