Read the passage and answer the following question:
In flowering plants, the production of male and female gametes occurs within the pollen grain and embryo sac, respectively. Since both types of gametes are immobile, they require a mechanism to be brought together for fertilisation to take place. Pollination is the process that serves this purpose. Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen grains, which are released from the anther to the stigma of a pistil. Flowering plants have developed various remarkable adaptations to accomplish pollination. They rely on external agents to facilitate the process of pollination.
Which one of the following is not a biotic agent of pollination?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Wind
An agent of pollination is whatever carries pollen to the stigma. Living carriers (animals) are biotic agents; non-living carriers are abiotic agents. Plants use two abiotic agents, wind and water, and one biotic agent, animals.
Option (1) Wind — Not a biotic agent. Wind is non-living, so it is an abiotic agent. Wind-pollinated flowers make large amounts of light, non-sticky pollen because pollen reaching the stigma by wind is a matter of chance.
Option (2) Bees — A biotic agent. Bees are insects, and insects, particularly bees, are the main animal pollinators.
Option (3) Gecko lizard — A biotic agent. The gecko lizard is a reptile. Some reptiles, such as the gecko lizard and the garden lizard, have been reported as pollinators in some species.
Option (4) Bats — A biotic agent. Bats are animals, and the book lists them among the common pollinating agents.
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… Agents of Pollination : Plants use two abiotic (wind and water) and one biotic (animals) agents to achieve pollination. Majority of plants use biotic agents for pollination. Only a small proportion of plants use abiotic agents. Pollen grains coming in contact with the stigma is a chance factor in both wind and water pollination.”
Pollination – “… Majority of flowering plants use a range of animals as pollinating agents. Bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths, birds (sunbirds and humming birds) and bats are the common pollinating agents. … Even larger animals such as some primates (lemurs), arboreal (tree-dwelling) rodents, or even reptiles (gecko lizard and garden lizard) have also been reported as pollinators in some species.”