Cheat sheet · Class 12 · CBSE · Science Biology

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants cheat sheet

The whole chapter on one page: key formulas, facts and the points to remember, for quick revision before a test.

CBSE Class 12 · Biology

Cheat sheet

Chapter 1Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Double fertilisation: one sperm + egg = zygote (2n); one sperm + 2 polar nuclei = endosperm (3n).

1. Male Gametophyte

  • Anther: bilobed, tetrasporangiate; wall layers — epidermis, endothecium, middle layers, tapetum (nourishes).
  • Microspore mother cell → meiosis → pollen tetrad.
  • Pollen grain: exine of sporopollenin (germ pores), intine; vegetative + generative cell.

2. Female Gametophyte

  • Ovule: funicle, hilum, integuments, micropyle, nucellus, chalaza.
  • Megaspore mother cell → 4 megaspores; one functional (monosporic).
  • Embryo sac: 7-celled, 8-nucleate (egg apparatus, 2 polar nuclei, 3 antipodals).

3. Pollination

TypeAgent / feature
Autogamysame flower; cleistogamous flowers ensure it
Geitonogamyanother flower of same plant
Xenogamyflower of another plant (cross)
Windlight pollen, feathery stigma (grasses)
WaterVallisneria, Hydrilla, seagrasses
Insects/animalscolour, scent, nectar

Outbreeding devices: unisexuality, dichogamy, self-incompatibility, different heights of style and anther.

4. After Fertilisation

  • Endosperm first (free nuclear in coconut).
  • Embryo: proembryo → globular → heart-shaped.
  • Ovule → seed; ovary → fruit.

5. Special Cases

Apomixis

seed without fertilisation (Asteraceae, grasses).

Polyembryony

many embryos in one seed (citrus).

Parthenocarpy

seedless fruit (banana).

6. Key Points

  • Pollen stored in liquid N₂ (−196 °C).
  • Emasculation and bagging in breeding.
  • Perisperm: persistent nucellus (black pepper).
  • Scutellum is the monocot cotyledon.

Remember: Anther & ovule | pollination types | double fertilisation

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