Fertilisation, seed formation and dispersal
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Explainer Video
Summary
Fertilisation, seed formation and dispersal
In a nutshell
In plants, the male sex cell is pollen and the female sex cell is an ovule. These join during fertilisation to form a seed. The seed will then germinate and form a new plant.
Fertilisation
Fertilisation happens when the nuclei of the male and female sex cells join.
| 1. | Pollen (yellow circle) is the male sex cell in a plant. It will land on the stigma during pollination. |
| 2. | A pollen tube grows from the pollen grain and down to the ovary through the style. |
| 3. | The nucleus from the male sex cell (red circle) moves down the tube. |
| 4. | The nucleus from the male sex cell joins the nucleus of the female sex cell (blue circle). This joining process is called fertilisation. |
Seed formation
After fertilisation, the ovule develops into a seed and the ovary develops into a fruit around the seed. The seed contains an inactive embryo.
| 1. | Food store | The seed has a food store containing starch that it can use to grow until it can carry out photosynthesis. |
| 2. | Embryo | The embryo is the young root and shoot that will grow into the plant. |
| 3. | Seed coat | The seed has a seed coat that provides protection. |
Seed dispersal
Seed dispersal is the transport of seeds from their parent plant to another area. Spreading out the seeds is an important process as plants will compete with each other for light, water, space and minerals. By dispersing their seeds, the plants have a better chance of surviving.
Dispersal method | Description | Examples |
| Animal | Seeds are spread by animals. The animal may eat the fruit and the seeds will come out in their droppings. The seeds can also get attached the animals coat and they carry it away with them. Animals can also bury seeds in order to eat them later. During this time, the seed may have the chance to germinate. | Tomatoes, goose grass and acorns |
| Explosion | The seeds are contained in a pod and are released when the pod bursts. | Peas |
| Wind | Seeds are carried away by the wind. | Sycamore and dandelions |
| Drop-and-roll | The fruit falls from the plant and rolls away. | Conkers |
| Water | Plants that grow near water sources, like rivers, may drop their seeds into the water. The flow of the water will carry the seed away. | Coconut and willow |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Why is seed dispersal important?
Spreading out the seeds is an important process as plants will compete with each other for light, water, space and minerals. By dispersing their seeds, the plants have a better chance of surviving.
What is seed dispersal?
Seed dispersal is the transport of seeds from their parent plant to another area.
What is a seed?
After fertilisation, the ovule develops into a seed and the ovary develops into a fruit around the seed. The seed contains an inactive embryo.
What is fertilisation?
The process of joining the nuclei of the male and female sex cells is called fertilisation.