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Pollination

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower.

In one line: Anther to stigma means pollination first.

Understand it

Pollination happens before fertilisation in flowering plants. It helps male gametes reach the female part of the flower. It may occur by wind, water, insects, or other agents, depending on the flower type.

Example

In hibiscus, pollen grains from the anther are carried to the stigma by an insect or other agent.

Rule to remember

Pollination = transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

1If wind carries pollen from one sunflower flower to another flower's stigma, pollination has taken place.
2Fertilisation may happen later after the pollen tube grows.

Method you can reuse

1Identify pollen grains in the question.
2Check whether movement is from anther to stigma.
3If yes, call it pollination.
4Do not confuse it with fusion of gametes.

Visual tip

A flower diagram with arrows from anther to stigma is the clearest revision aid.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

Pollen grains move from the anther to the stigma of a flower. What process has occurred?

Think first, then show answer

This process is pollination. It is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma before fertilisation happens.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is fertilisation.

Why it loses marks: No gametes have fused yet during pollination.

Don't mix this up

Students often confuse pollination with fertilisation. Pollination is only the transfer of pollen, while fertilisation is the fusion of gametes.

Exam tip

If the question says anther to stigma, the answer is pollination. If it says gamete fusion, the answer is fertilisation.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Students are often asked to define pollination, name its agents, or distinguish it from fertilisation.

1
Enough for 1 mark
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
2
Add for 2 marks
Example: In hibiscus, pollen grains from the anther are carried to the stigma by an insect or other agent.
3
Add for 3 marks
Pollination happens before fertilisation in flowering plants.

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