Questions for Lectures 16 and 17:  Plant Reproduction and Seed 
        Dispersal

•  By the end of your preparation for this topic, you should be able to:
 
    © 1. Draw, label, and describe the function of a flower and its parts (sepal, petal, stamen,
               anther, pistil, stigma, style, ovary and ovule).
 
    © 2. Discuss the angiosperm life cycle, sperm and ovule formation, fertilization, seed
               formation and seed germination.

    © 3. Discuss the different pollination and seed dispersal syndromes and the rewards that the
               agents receive.

    ©  4. Describe the biological principles you have learned by watching the video ³Sexual
             encounters of the floral kind².  (See other Questions below)

    © 5. Contrast the mechanisms and consequences of seed dispersal versus pollination.

    © 6. Discuss the relationship between the different morphologies of wind-dispersal diaspores
               and their dispersal potential.

    © 7. Define the following concept and terms:  ballistic; diaspore; wing loading; nectary;
               nectar thief; nectar guide; floral reward.        .


 •  Questions for ³Sexual Encounters of the Floral Kind²: Just for you
 1.   Why do flowers have showy petals?
 2.   What are the advantages of cross-pollination?
 3.   List two characteristics of wind pollinated flowers.
 4.   How do both the animal and the plant benefit from pollination by animals?  What are the types
       of rewards offered to the animals?
 5.   Give a thorough description of the pollination of an orchid by a wasp.  What event
       synchronizes the emergence of the wasp and the flowering of the orchid?
 6.   Describe how pollination is achieved in the Water Lily.
 7.   What characterizes hummingbird pollinated flowers?
 8.   Describe the pollination of the Arum lily by carrion flies.  Why is the Arum lily common on
       the small islands of the Mediterranean?
 9.   What is the reward to the pollinator of the Arctic Dryas flower?  How does the flower collect
       heat?
 10. Describe some bizarre things you saw in the video.
 

 
• Outline of presentation :
            For outline of presentation and for the legends of figures, see  the Handbook for the course "Biology 121 Notes, Spring, 1998, University of Illinois, Plant Biology: Ecology and Organismic Plant Biology" by Govindjee, Stipes  Publishing, Champaign,IL.
 
    © Slides used in the class are to be found elsewhere on these Web pages.