Question

(a) How does cleistogamy ensure autogamy?
(b) State one advantage and one disadvantage of cleistogamy to the plant.

Answer 1

(a) Cleistogamy is a type of self-pollination of certain flowers that can propagate by using non-opening, self-pollinating flowers. Cleistogamy ensures autogamy as cleistogamous flowers do not open at all and hence there is no chance of cross-pollination as there is no chance of cross-pollen landing on the stigma.

(b) Advantage: Cleistogamous flowers produce assured seed set even in the absence of pollinators.

Disadvantage: As there is no cross-pollination, there is no variation in the progeny.