Reproduction in plants that reproduce by means of seeds

Collect a few tomato seeds and take a careful look at them. Paste one of the seeds on the diagram below. The leaf, flower and plant have been drawn for you. You must draw the fruit!

Figure 1

Now collect the seeds of any 2 of the following:

Figure 2

Do the same with two more examples of your choice:

Figure 3

Pollination and fertilisation

Flowers have both male and female parts (on the same flower). The female parts are the stigma, style and ovary. The stamens are the male parts.

Figure 4

A seed can develop only after the ovule has been fertilised. The pollen grains (male reproduction cells) move from the stamens and fall onto the stigma (pollination), from where they grow down the style to the ovary of the flower. The pollen tube grows into the ovule and fertilisation takes place. Now it is possible for the ovules to develop into seeds.

Flowers are mainly pollinated by pollen from other flowers of the same kind. The colourful flowers attract insects such as bees, flies, moths and butterflies. Pollen is then transferred from one flower to another, as the insects move along. The pollen clings to the fine hairs on their legs and bodies.

The wind also causes pollination to take place in certain plants, such as conifers. Other plants are pollinated with the aid of water.

Figure 5

Test your knowledge

pollination: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

fertilisation: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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LEARNING OUTCOME 1: SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONSThe learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity about natural phenomena, and to investigate relationships and solve problems in scientific, technological and environmental contexts.

We know this when the learner:

1.1 plans investigations: together with their co-learners, they list knowledge regarding familiar situations and materials and compile investigative questions;

1.2 leads investigations and collects data: execute instructions and procedures that entail smaller sections;

1.3 evaluates data and communicates findings: provides feedback on progress in group context and on the final result.

LEARNING OUTCOME 2: CONSTRUCTING SCIENCE KNOWLEDGEThe learner will know and be able to interpret and apply scientific, technological and environmental knowledge.

We know this when the learner:

2.1 recalls meaningful information: the minimum requirement is to describe the properties and characteristics of objects, substances and organisms in simple terms;

2.2 categorises information: creates own category of objects and organisms and explains own rule for categorisation;

2.3 interprets information.

Life cycle

Sketches of relevant seeds, leaves, flowers, plants and fruit.

Pollination and fertilisation