What is Pollination?
Pollination is the act of movement of pollen grains from the male reproductive part of a flower to the stigma, which is the female reproductive part. The transfer of pollen can take place through butterflies, honey bees, wind etc.
Types of Pollination
The categorisation of pollination is based on the method of movement of pollen grains from flower to flower. There are primarily two kinds of pollination
Self-Pollination
Cross-Pollination
In self-pollination, pollen grains remain within the flower as it moves from its anther to stigma. However, in cross-pollination, presence of a vector is required, and the grains are transferred from one flower to another. The vectors can be air, insects or birds. Advancement in science has also allowed artificial pollination by man, especially for pollinating palm trees.
This aspect goes on to explain how the process of pollination is different from fertilisation.
Process of Pollination
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Process of pollination, as mentioned, also reflects the point of distinction according to the difference between pollination and fertilisation Class 10.
Pollen grain reaches a sticky stigma of a flower
Pollen tube expands across the Style also receiving male sperm
Sperm nuclei attach to female ovules
Fun Facts!
While insects may appear to be insignificant, they act as the primary pollinator agents. Around 200,000 – 300,000 invertebrate species like beetles, butterflies, moths, mosquitoes, flies, bees spread pollen between thousands of trees. Close to 2000 vertebrate species like mammals, birds and reptiles also act as pollinator agents.
Among all these agents, the little honeybee is the most important one!
What is Plant Fertilisation?
Plant fertilisation includes a fusion of male gametes (originating in the pollen tube of a flower) with the ovum (the female gamete). Fertilisation within a flower is necessarily preceded by pollination.
Process of Plant Fertilisation
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Both male and female gametes fuse to create a zygote
Zygote divides to form an embryo
Embryo remains within ovule, and the latter develops into seed with tissues while ovary converts into fruit
The steps and outcome of the process of plant fertilisation include the difference of pollination and fertilisation.
Difference Between Pollination and Fertilisation
Test Your Knowledge
i. What is the primary purpose of a pollen tube?
(a) Allowing pollen movement from stigma to ovary for plant fertilisation
(b) Attracting pollination agents
(c) Producing nectar from pollen
(d) Protecting movement from anther to stigma
Ans: (a) Allowing pollen movement from stigma to ovary for plant fertilisation
ii. In plant fertilisation, male gametes transported by wildlife or wind takes place through:
(a) Pollen
(b) Stamen
(c) Bees only
(d) Petals
Ans. (a) Pollen
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How to study Fertilisation and Pollination by making notes
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FAQs on Difference Between Pollination and Fertilisation
1. What is the primary difference between pollination and fertilisation in plants?
The primary difference lies in the process and outcome. Pollination is a physical process involving the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower. In contrast, fertilisation is a biological process that occurs after pollination, involving the fusion of the male gamete (from the pollen) with the female gamete (the ovule) to form a zygote. Pollination is an external event, while fertilisation is an internal cellular event.
2. What are the key differences between self-pollination and cross-pollination?
The key difference is the source of the pollen and the resulting genetic diversity.
- In self-pollination, a flower is pollinated by its own pollen or pollen from another flower on the same plant. It does not require external pollinators and results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.
- In cross-pollination, pollen is transferred from one plant to a flower on a different plant of the same species. This process requires external agents like wind, water, or animals and introduces genetic variation, often leading to healthier and more resilient offspring.
3. Why is pollination a necessary prerequisite for fertilisation in flowering plants?
Pollination is essential because the male gametes in flowering plants are non-motile (immobile) and are contained within pollen grains. For fertilisation to happen, these pollen grains must first be transported from the male part of the flower (anther) to the receptive female part (stigma). This transfer is called pollination. Without this physical delivery, the male gamete has no way to reach the ovule and fuse with the female gamete, making fertilisation impossible in nature.
4. What happens after fertilisation in a flower?
After successful fertilisation, a series of significant changes known as post-fertilisation events occur. The fertilised ovule develops into a seed, which contains the embryo (the future plant) and a food source. The ovary that encloses the ovule(s) matures and develops into a fruit, which protects the seed and aids in its dispersal. Other floral parts, like petals and sepals, typically wither and fall off.
5. How do abiotic and biotic agents of pollination differ?
The main difference is whether the agent is living or non-living, which dictates the flower's characteristics.
- Abiotic agents are non-living factors like wind and water. Flowers pollinated this way are often small, inconspicuous, and lack nectar or strong scents. They produce large amounts of lightweight pollen to increase the chances of reaching a target.
- Biotic agents are living organisms such as insects, birds, and bats. Flowers pollinated this way are typically large, brightly coloured, scented, and produce nectar to attract these specific pollinators.
6. Is fertilisation the final step in plant reproduction?
No, fertilisation is a crucial intermediate step, not the final one. Plant reproduction is a full cycle. Fertilisation (the fusion of gametes) initiates the development of the next generation. It is followed by the formation of the seed and fruit, the dispersal of the seed, and finally, the germination of the seed to grow into a new, mature plant capable of repeating the cycle.
7. Can fertilisation occur without pollination?
Under natural conditions in flowering plants, fertilisation cannot occur without pollination. Pollination is the indispensable mechanism that brings the male and female gametes into proximity. While artificial techniques like in-vitro fertilisation exist in a laboratory setting, in nature, the journey of the pollen tube to the ovule is triggered only after a compatible pollen grain lands on the stigma. Therefore, for natural sexual reproduction, pollination must happen first.
