Question

What is pollination? Describe the pollination brought through the agency of insects and explain with suitable examples the adaptations of plants for this type of pollination.

Answer 1

Pollination is when pollen grains from an anther, the male portion of a flower, are transferred to a female part in the flower, known as the stigma. Although all flowering plants rely on pollination for reproduction, there is a variation in how plants pollinate. Entomophily or insect pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen of plants, especially but not only of flowering plants, is distributed by insects. Flowers pollinated by insects typically advertise themselves with bright colours, sometimes with conspicuous patterns (honeyguides) leading to rewards of pollen and nectar; they may also have an attractive scent which in some cases mimics insect pheromone. Plants like Jatropha, Daisy, Orchids, spider lily, etc. are pollinated through insect pollination.