Fertilization can be defined as the fusion of the male gametes (pollen) with the female gametes (ovum) to form a diploid zygote. It is a physicochemical process that occurs after the pollination of the carpel. The complete series of this process takes place in the zygote to develop into a seed.
In humans
Sperms or male gametes are released from the male reproductive organ i.e., through the penis. These sperms then enter the female body through the vagina. Then, they move through the fallopian tubes where they meet the eggs. Hence, the process of fertilization takes place in the fallopian tubes.
In plants
Fertilization in plants occurs after pollination and germination. Pollination happens through the transfer of pollen which is the male microgametes of seed plants, producing the sperm – from one plant to the stigma (the female reproductive organ) of another. The pollen grain uses up water and germination occurs. The germinated pollen grain sprouts a pollen tube, which grows and enters the ovule (the egg structure of the plant) through a pore called a mycropyle. The sperm is then transferred through the pollen tube from the pollen.
