Definition:

Pollen is a fine powder produced by the male part of a plant, usually the anthers of flowers. It contains the male reproductive cells (sperm cells) and is essential for plant reproduction.

What is Pollen?

• Pollen is a fine, powder-like substance that carries the male reproductive cells (sperm cells) of seed plants.

  
  

  It is produced in the male reproductive structures:

  • In flowering plants (angiosperms), pollen is made in the anthers, part of the stamen.

  • In non-flowering seed plants (gymnosperms like pine trees), pollen is produced in male cones.

Structure of Pollen

• Pollen grains are microscopic and vary in shape and surface pattern depending on the plant species.

  
  

  Each pollen grain has two main layers:

  • Exine: A tough, outer protective layer that is resistant to damage and often highly ornamented.

  • Intine: A thinner, inner layer that surrounds the living cells.

  
  

• Inside the grain are typically two cells:

  • Generative cell: Divides to form two sperm cells.

  • Tube cell: Grows into a pollen tube during fertilisation, allowing sperm to reach the egg.

Function of Pollen

• Pollen enables sexual reproduction in plants by carrying male genetic material to female reproductive organs.

• After successful pollination and fertilization, seeds are formed, which can grow into new plants.

Pollination Process

• Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a plant (anther or male cone) to the female part (stigma or female cone).

  
  

  There are two main types of pollination:

  • Self-pollination: Pollen fertilizes ovules on the same plant.

  • Cross-pollination: Pollen is transferred between two different plants of the same species, which increases genetic diversity.

• Pollination can occur in several ways:

  • Wind: Carries lightweight pollen over long distances; common in grasses, many trees, and conifers.

  • Insects: Bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects transfer pollen while feeding on nectar.

  • Animals: Birds (like hummingbirds) and mammals (such as bats) can also carry pollen between flowers.

  • Water: In aquatic plants, pollen can move through water to reach female structures.

Favourite part/ note/ summary— Pollen is the male reproductive part found in the anthers, it contains the male reproductive cells which is sperm cells. Pollen is fine-powder like substance. Angiosperms can happen in flowering plants and gymnosperms are in non flowering seed plants. Each pollen grain has a different type of pattern depending on which type of pollen it is from which plant.