Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question:

Read  the given statements:

I- Plants species have a mucilaginous covering on their pollen grains.

II- This type of pollination is rare in flowering plants and is primarily observed in about 30 genera, mostly monocotyledons.

III- Examples of plants include Vallisneria, Hydrilla.

IV- In some species pollen grains are often long and ribbon-like.

The above features are the characteristics of :

Options:

Hydrophily (pollination by water )

Anemophily (pollination by wind)

Ornithophily (pollination by birds)

Entomophily (pollination by insects)

Correct Answer:

Hydrophily (pollination by water )

Explanation:
  • Water pollination is rare in flowering plants and is primarily observed in about 30 genera, mostly monocotyledons.
  • Lower plant groups such as algae, bryophytes, and pteridophytes rely on water for the transport of male gametes.
  • Some bryophytes and pteridophytes have limited distribution due to their dependence on water for male gamete transport and fertilization.
  • Examples of water-pollinated plants include Vallisneria, Hydrilla, and marine sea-grasses like Zostera.
  • Not all aquatic plants use water for pollination; many, such as water hyacinth and water lily, are pollinated by insects or wind.
  • In Vallisneria, female flowers emerge above the water surface, while male flowers release pollen grains onto the water's surface to be carried passively by water currents.
  • In seagrasses, female flowers remain submerged, and pollen grains are released into the water. These pollen grains are often long and ribbon-like, and they are carried passively by water until they reach the stigma for pollination.
  • Water-pollinated species often have a mucilaginous covering on their pollen grains to protect them from wetting.