Reproduction in Plants

16 Grade 9 Integrated Science questions on Reproduction in Plants, with worked marking schemes. 16 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   5 marks

   The diagram of a flower shows the parts labelled stamen and pistil (carpel).

   (a) State the function of the stamen and the function of the pistil in a flower. (2 marks)

   (b) Define the term pollination. (1 mark)

   (c) State two differences between self-pollination and cross-pollination. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) The stamen is the male part of the flower; it produces pollen grains (which contain the male gametes). The pistil/carpel is the female part of the flower; it produces ovules (containing the female gametes) and receives pollen on the stigma. (b) Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (of the stamen) to the stigma (of the pistil) of a flower. (c) Self-pollination: pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower, or to another flower on the same plant; it involves only one plant. Cross-pollination: pollen is transferred from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species; it involves two different plants.

2. Question 2

   4 marks

   The diagram of a flower was studied during a biology lesson.

   (a) Name the male reproductive part of a flower and state the part of it that produces pollen grains. (2 marks)

   (b) Explain what is meant by cross-pollination. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

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3. Question 3

   5 marks

   A flower is the reproductive organ of a flowering plant.

   (a) Name the male and the female reproductive parts of a flower. (2 marks)

   (b) Define the term 'pollination'. (1 mark)

   (c) State two differences between wind-pollinated and insect-pollinated flowers. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Male reproductive part: the stamen (made up of the anther and filament). Female reproductive part: the pistil/carpel (made up of the stigma, style and ovary). (b) Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (of the stamen) to the stigma (of the pistil). (c) Any two differences: Wind-pollinated flowers are usually small, dull-coloured, without scent or nectar, with large feathery stigmas and anthers hanging outside, producing large amounts of light pollen; whereas insect-pollinated flowers are usually large, brightly coloured, scented, with nectar, smaller sticky stigmas, and produce smaller amounts of sticky/spiky pollen.

4. Question 4

   5 marks

   Describe what happens from the time a pollen grain lands on the stigma up to the point of fertilisation in a flowering plant.

   (5 marks)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the

   A. ovary to the anther

   B. anther to the stigma

   C. root to the stem

   D. stigma to the ovary

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Wind-pollinated flowers are characterised by

   A. feathery stigmas and light pollen

   B. bright colours and sweet scent

   C. sticky pollen and nectar

   D. large petals

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   5 marks

   (a) Define the term pollination. (1 mark)

   (b) State two differences between wind-pollinated flowers and insect-pollinated flowers. (4 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (of a stamen) to the stigma of a flower. (b) Any two contrasting pairs: Wind-pollinated flowers have small, dull/inconspicuous petals while insect-pollinated flowers have large, brightly coloured petals; wind-pollinated flowers have no scent and no nectar while insect-pollinated flowers are scented and produce nectar; wind-pollinated flowers have feathery stigmas and long dangling anthers exposed outside while insect-pollinated flowers have sticky stigmas and anthers held inside; wind-pollinated flowers produce large amounts of light, smooth pollen while insect-pollinated flowers produce smaller amounts of heavy, sticky/spiky pollen.

8. Question 8

   4 marks

   A learner planted seeds from a hybrid maize variety but the new plants gave a poor and uneven yield.

   (a) Explain why growing crops from suckers or cuttings (vegetative propagation) can be more reliable for producing identical offspring.

   (b) State ONE disadvantage of relying only on vegetative propagation.

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The male reproductive part of a flower is the

   A. sepal

   B. petal

   C. pistil

   D. stamen

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    The part of the flower that develops into a fruit after fertilisation is the

    A. petal

    B. ovary

    C. sepal

    D. anther

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    State two differences between insect-pollinated flowers and wind-pollinated flowers.

    (4 marks)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Compare insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers by stating TWO differences in their features. Present your answer clearly for each feature.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any two contrasting pairs (2 marks each pair, 1 for each side): Petals — insect-pollinated have large brightly coloured petals vs wind-pollinated have small/absent dull petals; Scent/nectar — insect-pollinated have scent and nectar vs wind-pollinated lack scent and nectar; Pollen — insect-pollinated pollen is heavy/sticky/small amount vs wind-pollinated pollen is light/smooth/large amount; Stigma — insect-pollinated stigma is sticky and inside the flower vs wind-pollinated stigma is feathery and hangs outside.

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A flower pollinated by insects is likely to have

    A. light dry pollen

    B. no nectar

    C. small feathery stigmas and no petals

    D. brightly coloured petals and sweet scent

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    3 marks

    State THREE structural adaptations of a wind-pollinated flower that make it suited to wind pollination.

    (3 marks)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    After fertilisation, the ovule develops into a

    A. root

    B. fruit

    C. seed

    D. flower

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    The diagram of a flower shows the anther, stigma, ovary and petals.

    (a) Name the male part and the female part of a flower.

    (b) State the function of the stigma.

    (c) Name the process by which pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma.

    (4 marks)

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