Pollination and fertilization are the most important processes that provide generative propagation of seed plants. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination, will be briefly considered in our article. Their role in nature is very important. So, it is thanks to them that everyone’s favorite fruits are formed. So let's get it together.
What is the difference between fertilization and pollination: biology will give an answer
Both of these processes occur only in representatives of the departments of holo- and angiosperms. To do this, they have special organs of sexual reproduction. In gymnosperms, most of which are conifers, male and female cones act as them. They do not form flowers, unlike angiosperms, which occupy a dominant position on the planet. The main parts of their flowers are the pestle and stamen, which provide the process of generative propagation. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? To answer this question, let's first look at the essence of these processes.
What is pollination
Pollination in flowering plants is the process of transfer of pollen from the anther of the stamen to the stigma of the pestle. Why is this process necessary for gametes to merge? It's all about the structure of the flower. Male germ cells of higher plants are called sperm. They are motionless, numerous and are located in the anther of the stamen attached to the thread. The female gamete is called the egg. It is singularly located in the lower expanded part of the pestle - the ovary. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? In the second case, male and female gametes do not combine. Pollination involves the transfer of sperm to the upper part of the pestle, from where they will begin their path to the egg. This can happen in several ways.
Pollination types
To answer the question of what is the difference between fertilization and dusting, it is necessary to consider its types. There are two main ways. This is natural pollination and artificial. The first involves the transfer of pollen using wind, water or representatives of the animal kingdom. It is generally accepted that only insects produce pollination: bees, wasps, bumblebees, butterflies and others. But this process is carried out by small birds - nectaries, and bats, and small animals, such as couscous. Insect-pollinated plants have large flowers with a brightly colored corolla and an attractive aroma. Sometimes they combine in inflorescences for more effective attraction. They are hard not to notice. Wind-pollinated plants are always small and inconspicuous. An artificial method is carried out by a person in order to obtain a harvest of fruits.
What is fertilization?
Fertilization is the process of germination of germ cells. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? First of all, the first process is the result and impossible without the second. During pollination, sperm end up on the stigma of the pestle. But in order to reach the egg, the development of the germ tube is necessary. It sprouts, and with it advances towards its goal and sperm.
Features of double fertilization of flowering plants
Two cells are in the ovary of the pestle. This is the egg and the central germinal. Therefore, two male germ cells are also involved in the fertilization process. As a result of the fusion of the egg with the first sperm, the embryo of the future plant is formed. It contains all the necessary parts: spine, kidney, leaf, stalk. And the result of fertilization with the second sperm of the central germ cell is the endosperm. This is a reserve nutrient. The embryo with the endosperm is formed by the seed, which is located in flowering plants inside the fruit, and in gymnosperms, it is open on the scales of the cones. Here is the difference between pollination and fertilization. This is the result. During pollination, fertilization occurs. Gametes will not connect unless mechanical movement occurs. Pollination always occurs first and requires the intervention of external forces: animals, wind, water, insects. Fertilization results in seeds and fruits. It happens without outside interference.
This is the difference between pollination and fertilization. These are sequential processes that underlie the sexual reproduction of spore and seed plants.