Biology of Reproduction: Sexual Processes in Plants

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

Biology Of Reproduction: Sexual Processes in Plants

Living organisms, either unicellular or multi-cellular, go through a reproductive cycle. It helps ensure that a new generation of offsprings is there and can survive in the environment. Plants have a special mode of reproduction known as sexual reproduction. It ensures genetic variation and is different from the asexual reproduction system which is found in some organisms.

Different Sexual Processes In Plants

Plants have a higher number of sexual processes than animals. To name a few, these are – Agamospermy (अगामोस्पर्मी) (Parthenocarpy (पार्थेनोकार्पी)), Self-Pollination (स्व-पोलिनेशन), Cross-Pollination (क्रास-पोलिनेशन), Polyploidy (पॉलिप्लॉडी), Heterospory (हेत्रोस्परी). Every reproductive cycle in plants leads to the formation of a seed.

Agamospermy (अगामोस्पर्मी)

Agamospermy (अगामोस्पर्मी) is a process of sexual reproduction in plants wherein the ovules are created without needing pollination or fertilization. This can happen naturally or artificially. The plant that produces agamospermic embryos is known as an Agamosperm. This method results in a higher production of seeds than the traditional sexual reproduction process.

Parthenocarpy (पार्थेनोकार्पी)

Parthenocarpy (पार्थेनोकार्पी) is a process wherein the ovules of a plant are allowed to grow into a fruit without any pollination or fertilization. This can happen naturally in some plants or can be artificially achieved too. This method helps in the production of large-sized fruits and protects the plants from any external pollination.

Self-Pollination (स्व-पोलिनेशन)

Self-Pollination (स्व-पोलिनेशन) is a process wherein the pollen developed by a flower or a plant is used to pollinate its own flower or stigma. It is a form of reproduction wherein physical contact between different plants is not necessary for pollination. This process ensures that the genes remain same as that of parent plants, but there are sometimes mutations, which result in genetic variation in the species.

Cross-Pollination (क्रास-पोलिनेशन)

Cross-Pollination (क्रास-पोलिनेशन) is a process of transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower, or from the pollen of one plant to another. This type of pollination requires germination and fertilization of the resultant corss-fertilised ovules to produce viable offspring. This process ensures that genetic variation is there between the offspring and the parent plants and helps in survival of the species in different environmental conditions.

Polyploidy (पॉलिप्लॉडी)

Polyploidy (पॉलिप्लॉडी) is a process of reproduction, which involves the multiplication of chromosomes in the gametes. Ot may lead to formation of triploid or tetraploid cells which form the basis of non-sexual reproduction. This process helps the speecies to adjust with the changes taking place in the environment by providing more number of genetic variations.

Heterospory (हेत्रोस्परी)

Heterospory (हेत्रोस्परी) is the process of sexuality in plants wherein the ovules and pollen have a different type of structure. While the ovule is larger in size and has a single egg, the pollen is much smaller, and has a single celled structure. This process is seen in many conifer trees and other plants with woody stem.

Conclusion

Thus, we see that there are a lot of sexual processes in plants. Every reproductive cycle in plants leads to the formation of a seed, which is essential for the growth of a new organism. All these methods help ensure genetic variation, which helps the species to survive in a changing environment.