Plant Life Cycles

• Alternation of generation – the process of alternating between asexual and sexual reproduction

• Seedless plants begin by releasing spores that develop into new plants without fertilization. The new adult plant develops male and female structure that join and fertilize to create a new adult plant.

• Pollination – the transfer of pollen from the stamen to the pistil

• Pollen- a yellow powder that contains the sperm cells

• Nectar – sweet liquid produced by flowers to attract pollinators

• Self-pollination – a perfect flower with male & female parts pollinates itself

• Cross-pollination- pollen from one plant pollinates the flower on another plant

Seeds

• Seed has 3 parts– Embryo - the fertilized egg cell developing into a

new offspring– Cotyledon-surrounds the embryo and is its food

supply– Seed coat – tough outer covering that protects the

seed

• Germination – the process of the seed developing into a new plant

• Monocot- seed with a single cotyledon, parallel vein pattern on leaves, flower petals in groups of three

• Dicot – seed with two cotyledons, leaves have a branched vein pattern, flower petals in groups of 4 or 5

Conifers

• Conifer – a seed plant with no flowers – Evergreens, pines and firs

• Single tree produces male and female cones• Male pollen cells stick to female cones and

developing egg remains there as it develops into a seed