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Difficulty: MediumReproductive Systems and Processes in Organisms

A plant ecologist investigates the pollination mechanism of an angiosperm species growing in an open, windy savannah habitat. Which combination of floral adaptations would most effectively facilitate cross-pollination by wind in this environment?

  1. Feathery, exposed stigmas with a high surface area and light, dry pollen grainsAnswer
  2. B
    Sticky, compact stigmas positioned deep inside a tubular corolla with heavy, spiky pollen grains
  3. C
    Nectary-lined stigmas surrounded by brightly colored petals with sticky, clumped pollen grains
  4. D
    Broad, smooth stigmas enclosed within protective floral bracts with large, moist pollen grains

Answer

Feathery, exposed stigmas with a high surface area and light, dry pollen grains
Wind-pollinated (anemophilous) flowers possess feathery, branched, and protruded stigmas to create a large catchment area for floating pollen. Additionally, their pollen grains are light, smooth, and dry so that they can be easily detached and carried across air currents.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary vector of pollination described in the scenario.
The environmental context specifies wind as the vector (anemophily).
Plants adapted to wind pollination require distinct morphological traits to release and trap airborne pollen efficiently.
2
Evaluate pollen and stigma adaptations suitable for wind transport.
Pollen must be light, smooth, dry, and produced in large numbers to float easily. Stigmas must be feathery, branched, and exposed outside the perianth to catch wind-borne grains.
Wind direction is non-directional, so maximizing stigma surface area and minimizing pollen mass optimizes reproductive success.
3
Select the option matching anemophilous structural adaptations.
The combination of feathery, exposed stigmas with light, dry pollen grains matches anemophilous flowers.
Features such as nectar, bright petals, sticky pollen, or deep corolla tubes are entomophilous traits designed for animal vectors.

Key Concept

Structural adaptations of anemophilous (wind-pollinated) flowers vs. entomophilous (insect-pollinated) flowers
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Reproductive Systems and Processes in Organisms

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