Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Question:

The given characteristics of some flowers include:

I. Small size and often clustered in inflorescences.

II. Lack of color, nectar, and scent.

III. Exposed stamens.

IV. Abundant production of light and non-sticky pollen grains.

V. Presence of a single ovule in each ovary.

VI. Large stigma, often feathery in appearance.

These features are indicative of:

Options:

Entomophily (pollination by insects)

Ornithophily (pollination by birds)

Anemophily (pollination by wind)

Self-pollination

Correct Answer:

Anemophily (pollination by wind)

Explanation:

 The correct answer is Option (3) - Anemophily (pollination by wind)

Wind pollination is a common form of abiotic pollination.

  • It requires light and non-sticky pollen grains that can be carried by wind currents.
  • Wind-pollinated flowers typically have well-exposed stamens, allowing easy dispersal of pollen into the air.
  • They often have large, feathery stigmas that are designed to efficiently capture airborne pollen grains.
  • Wind-pollinated flowers typically have a single ovule in each ovary.
  • Many wind-pollinated flowers are densely packed into inflorescences.
  • A familiar example of wind pollination is observed in corn, where the tassels represent the stigma and style that wave in the wind to trap pollen grains.
  • Grasses are a common example of plants that rely on wind pollination.