What is a pollen grain?
a. Male gametophyte
b. Female gametophyte
c. Male sporophyte
d. Sperm

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of pollen grains in plant reproduction. Pollen grains are involved in the fertilization process of plants.
2. Recognize that pollen grains are part of the male reproductive system in plants. They are responsible for carrying the male genetic material to the female part of the plant.
3. Learn that a gametophyte is a stage in the plant life cycle that produces gametes (sperm or eggs). In the case of pollen grains, they are associated with the male gametophyte.
4. Differentiate between gametophyte and sporophyte. A gametophyte is haploid and produces gametes, while a sporophyte is diploid and produces spores.
5. Conclude that a pollen grain is a male gametophyte, as it contains the structures necessary to produce and deliver sperm cells to the female gametophyte for fertilization.

Key Concepts

Pollen Grain

A pollen grain is a microscopic structure that carries the male gametophyte of seed plants. It is responsible for the transfer of male genetic material to the female part of the plant during the process of pollination. Pollen grains are produced by the male part of the plant, the anther, and are essential for sexual reproduction in plants.

Male Gametophyte

The male gametophyte is the haploid phase in the life cycle of plants that produces male gametes or sperm cells. In seed plants, the male gametophyte is contained within the pollen grain. It develops from a microspore and is crucial for fertilization, as it delivers the sperm cells to the female gametophyte.

Pollination

Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a plant (anther) to the female part (stigma) of a plant, enabling fertilization and the production of seeds. This process can occur via wind, water, or animal vectors, and is essential for the reproduction of many plant species, ensuring genetic diversity and the continuation of plant populations.