Question

Distinguish between pollination and fertilisation. Mention the site and product of fertilisation in a flower. Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a pistil showing pollen tube growth and its entry into the ovule.

Answer 1

Pollination and Fertilisation

1. The process of transmitting pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma is pollination.
2. The union of a sperm with an egg cell to produce the primary nucleus of an embryo is known as fertilization.

Pollination	Fertilization
1. It is an external process.	1. It can be internal or external.
2. It takes place before fertilization.	2. It takes place post-pollination.
3. It is a physical process.	3. It is a biochemical and genetic process.
4. The agents of pollination are water, wind, insects, birds, and other animals.	4. The process of fertilization takes place by growing a pollen tube that enters the ovule.
5. External factors are needed.	5. No external factors are required.
6. The process results in fertilization.	6. The process results in the formation of seeds.

The site and product of fertilization:

1. The site of fertilization is the ovary and the product of fertilization is the zygote in a flower.
2. The ovary is the enlarged basal part of the pistil, that is, the female organ of a flower.
3. The zygote is the fertilized egg, which arises due to the union of a male gamete and a female gamete.