Reproduction and Environmental Impacts
This section covers plant reproduction processes and environmental factors affecting biodiversity.
Pollination is a crucial process in plant reproduction, involving the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. This can occur through various means such as wind, animals, or insects like bees.
Definition: The anther is part of the stamen, which is the male reproductive structure in flowers. Its design varies depending on the pollination method of the plant.
Example: Wind-pollinated flowers have anthers hanging outside the flower to increase pollen dispersal, while insect-pollinated flowers keep anthers within the flower for insect contact.
Pollen, produced by the anther, contains the male gamete. After landing on the stigma, it grows a tube down to the ovules where fertilization occurs.
Environmental factors significantly impact biodiversity. Alien species, non-native organisms introduced to new environments, can have detrimental effects on local ecosystems.
Highlight: Habitat destruction, often caused by human activities like land clearing for agriculture or infrastructure, poses a significant threat to biodiversity.
Pollution, the introduction of harmful substances into the environment, affects air, water, and land, endangering various organisms and ecosystems.
Vocabulary: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, including the diversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms.
