Pre-fertilisation: Structures and Events
In flowering plants, the journey of reproduction begins long before a flower blooms. Hormonal and structural changes lead to the development of floral primordia, resulting in the formation of inflorescences and floral buds. The primary reproductive structures emerge: the male androecium consisting of stamens, and the female gynoecium comprising pistils. Each stamen contains an anther, where microsporangia develop into pollen grains through a detailed process known as microsporogenesis. Conversely, the gynoecium houses the ovules, where megasporogenesis takes place, culminating in the formation of the embryo sac.
This section also delves into the mechanisms of pollination, detailing how pollen travels from the anther to the stigma. Pollination can occur via three main types: autogamy (self-pollination), geitonogamy (pollen from another flower on the same plant), and xenogamy (cross-pollination). Various agents—including wind, water, and animals—facilitate this process, underscoring the importance of external factors in ensuring successful reproduction. The interplay of these structures and events forms the foundation of sexual reproduction in angiosperms.