A bird pollinating a flower. Image credit gilligalloubird.com

A bird pollinating a flower. Image credit gilligalloubird.com

ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Reproduction in plants: Examining adaptations of flowers to pollination

Materials: maize(male and female) or any type of grass flowers, bean flowers or any insect pollinated flowers, hand lenses, microscope slides, microscopes

Method

  1. Identify an example of a wind and insect pollinated flower
  2. Look for features identified in the typical flower diagram here.
  3. Draw each flower and label the features which adapt the flower to its pollination method
  4. Collect the pollen of each flower type and examine it under a microscope
  5. Identify the differences between the pollen collected from wind pollinated flowers and that from insect pollinated flowers.

Results and Conclusion

Lady bugs are an example of pollinators. Image credit earthrangers.com

Lady bugs are an example of pollinators. Image credit earthrangers.com

  • There is a difference between wind and insect pollinated flowers
  • Each flower has adapted to its type of pollination in a way that maximizes the chances of pollination
  • There is a difference between the pollen of wind and insect pollinated flowers
  • Examples of pollinators (insects found pollinating flowers) are: butterflies, bees, ladybugs, birds, bats etc

NB The differences between wind and insect pollinated flowers are outlined here.

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.