Hobbies And Interests
Pollen and Pollination
On a macroscopic level, pollen is produced in the anthers of the flower and then the grains of pollen are transferred by wind, insect, bird, spider or animal to a different flower on a different plant. The pollen soon finds its way to the the top of the pistil, which is called the stigma. Eventually, the grains of pollen migrate down the inside of the pistil and united with the ovule in a process called fertilization.
Microscopic View
A grain of pollen is a microscopic particle than with a thick outside covering that surrounds the male genetic material, called sperm. The outer wall is protein-rich and divided into two layers, called the exine and intine. Many pollen grains produce a protein coating that prevents the cell from drying out.
Male Genetic Material
When pollen is first produced in the the anther, the male genetic cell has a normal number of chromosomes. But then the cell will divide and form two sperm cells. The formation of these cells can occur either before or after pollen dispersal.