Section 3: The Basic Parts of a Plant

Glossary

Lesson 5: The Flowers


As you walk through a park, what is the most striking thing that you see? Likely, it's the flowers, especially the petals. The petals are the most attractive of all floral parts; nature's intent is to make them attractive to insects.

It's important for insects to visit flowers because they help the pollination process, which initiates fertilization that forms new seeds capable of propagating the plant.

A plant's production of seeds is considered to be sexual propagation; sexual propagation always involves the formation of a seed from which a new plant can grow.
This process involves fertilization .
The following diagram, of the parts of a flower, will help you understand the process of sexual propagation.
The function of each part is explained:

 
  
 
 

Pollination

A bee is attracted to the beauty and fragrance of a flower. As it enters the flower, the bee dislodges pollen from the anther and brushes it onto the stigma, which starts the process of fertilization to produce a new seed.

  Digging Deeper


Understanding Pollination   

Click here to watch a video that includes many fascinating facts about bees and pollination.