Module: | Pre-fertilization: Micro/Megasporogenesis
Q11: Consider the following statements regarding anemophily (wind pollination) adaptations:
1. Wind-pollinated flowers typically possess multiple ovules in each ovary to maximize seed production per flower.
2. Pollen grains in anemophilous plants are exceptionally light and non-sticky so that they can be transported by air currents.
3. These plants often feature well-exposed stamens and large, feathery stigmas to easily disperse and trap airborne pollen.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Pollen grains in anemophilous plants are exceptionally light and non-sticky so that they can be transported by air currents.
3. These plants often feature well-exposed stamens and large, feathery stigmas to easily disperse and trap airborne pollen.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: B
The correct option is B. Statements 2 and 3 are correct, but Statement 1 is incorrect.
Anemophily is the most common form of abiotic pollination.
Because wind transport is non-directional and highly wasteful, plants must produce enormous quantities of light, non-sticky pollen.
Structurally, the flowers are highly modified: they lack showy petals, nectar, and scent.
They possess well-exposed stamens to catch the wind and large, feathery stigmas to act as aerial nets for passing pollen.
Statement 1 is incorrect because, causally, wind-pollinated flowers typically have only a single ovule in each ovary, and numerous flowers are packed into an inflorescence (like a corn cob) to increase the surface area for pollen capture, rather than risking multiple ovules in a single flower where a pollen strike is statistically improbable.
Anemophily is the most common form of abiotic pollination.
Because wind transport is non-directional and highly wasteful, plants must produce enormous quantities of light, non-sticky pollen.
Structurally, the flowers are highly modified: they lack showy petals, nectar, and scent.
They possess well-exposed stamens to catch the wind and large, feathery stigmas to act as aerial nets for passing pollen.
Statement 1 is incorrect because, causally, wind-pollinated flowers typically have only a single ovule in each ovary, and numerous flowers are packed into an inflorescence (like a corn cob) to increase the surface area for pollen capture, rather than risking multiple ovules in a single flower where a pollen strike is statistically improbable.