Why is the evolution of pollen an important terrestrial adaptation?
To determine: Why the evolution of pollen is important for terrestrial adaptation.
Introduction: In plants, pollen is the mass of microspores, which produces the sperm cells (male gametophyte). The pollen grains have a covering of hard coat made up of sporopollenin that protects the sperm cells during the movement of gametophyte from the stamens to the ovule of the female part and this transfer is called pollination. There are two types pollination, namely self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Explanation of Solution
The evolution of pollen is important for terrestrial adaptation due to the following reasons. The pollen grain is resistant to decay and it can be transferred through air, water, and animals. Thus, the pollen is suitable for transferring the male gametophyte to the female gametocyte even in long distance. Since the pollen tube passes the sperm directly into the ovule of the female part, it removes the need for the humid environment of the sperm to reach the eggs, and this study of the pollen grain is known as palynology.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 30 Solutions
Study Guide for Campbell Biology
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Evolutionary Analysis (5th Edition)
Biology: Life on Earth
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes
Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Microbiology: An Introduction
Genetics: Analysis and Principles
- Is seed coat part of sporophyte generation or gametophyte generation?arrow_forwardOf the four parts of alteration of generations cycle (embryo/sporophyte, spore, gametophyte, gamete), which one does pollen belong to?arrow_forwardCan you answer all the parts to this question Distinguish among (a) simple, (b) aggregate, and (c) multiple fruits, and give an example of each.arrow_forward
- Under what conditions is it selectively advantageous for a plant to produce offspring identical to itself?arrow_forwardDescribe a conifer pollen cone. Why is it a simple cone? Describe a conifer seed cone. Why is it a compound cone?arrow_forwardA plant biologist discovers a new species of plant in the ashes of a recent forest fire along the sides of a steep mountain range. It is fall, and temperatures are dropping below freezing. The biologist cannot stay in the field to observe the plant. What can he infer about the plants reproductive strategy based on his recent observations? A) the plant will produce flowers because at this altitude there is sufficient sunlight B) the plant will produce comes because cones will mature into adult plants more rapidly C) the plant will produce cones because cones allow for seed dispersal through all seasons D) the plant will produce flowers because flowers can protect the seed from extreme conditionsarrow_forward
- In a sentence or two, either support or refute the following statement: The pollen grains of angiosperms are homologous to the spores of bryophytesarrow_forwardWhy do you think it might be functionally important for different species of plants to have different shaped pollen?arrow_forwardWhich two structures evolved though a series of changes in the reproductive biology among some heterosporous plants during the late Devonian period allowed spermatophytes (seed plants) to reduce or eliminate their dependence on water for gamete fertilization and development of the embryo and allowed them to colonize a much wider range of habitats?arrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax CollegeBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning