Pollen Grain
Reproductive structure that has the male gametes of a seed plant
A pollen grain is a tiny structure that contains the male reproductive cells of a flowering plant. These grains are produced by the anther, which is the male part of the flower. Pollen grains are typically very small, ranging in size from about 10 to 100 micrometers in diameter, depending on the species of plant.
Pollen grains are essential for plant reproduction, as they contain the male gametes (sperm cells) that fertilize the female reproductive organs (ovules) of the plant. Pollen grains are often dispersed by wind, water, or insects to reach the female reproductive organs of other plants.
The shape and structure of pollen grains can vary widely among different plant species, but they typically have a hard outer coating called the exine, which helps protect the grain from environmental stresses such as drying out or being attacked by microbes. The exine can also be highly ornamented, with ridges, pores, or other features that aid in pollen recognition and dispersal.
Overall, pollen grains are vitally important to the process of plant reproduction and are fascinating structures to study for botanists and plant biologists.
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The Importance of Pollination: Processes, Types, and Mechanisms for Flowering Plant Reproduction.