What is the difference between fertilization and pollination: the features and characteristics of processes

Pollination and fertilization are the most important processes that provide generative multiplication of seed plants. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination, will be briefly considered in our article. Their role in nature is very important. So, it is thanks to them that all the fruits are formed. So, let's understand together.

What is the difference between fertilization and pollination: biology will give an answer

Both these processes occur only in representatives of the departments of holo- and angiospermous plants. For this they have special organs of sexual reproduction. The gymnosperms, most of which are conifers, are male and female cones. They do not form flowers, unlike the angiosperms, which occupy the dominant position on the planet. The main parts of their flowers are pestle and stamina, which provide the process of generative reproduction. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? To answer this question, let's first consider the essence of these processes.

What is pollination?

Pollination of flowering plants called the process of transferring pollen from the anther of the stamen to the stigma of the pistil. Why is this process necessary for the gamete to merge? It's all about the structure of the flower. Male sex cells of higher plants are called sperm. They are immovable, numerous and located in the anther of the stamen attached to the filament. A female gamete is called an egg. It is in the singular located in the lower extended part of the pistil - the ovary. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? In the second case, male and female gametes do not unite. Pollination involves the transfer of spermatozoa to the top of the pistil, from where they will begin their journey to the egg. It can happen in several ways.

Types of pollination

To answer the question about the difference between fertilization and dusting, it is necessary to consider its types. There are two main ways. This is natural pollination and artificial. The first involves the transfer of pollen with the help of wind, water or representatives of the animal kingdom. It is generally accepted that only insects produce pollination: bees, wasps, bumblebees, butterflies and others. But this process is carried out by small birds, such as nectaries, bats, and small animals, such as couscous. Insect-polluted plants have large flowers with a brightly colored aureole and an attractive aroma. Sometimes they combine in inflorescences for more effective attraction. It's hard not to notice them. Wind-pollinated plants are always small and unattractive. An artificial method is carried out by a person in order to obtain a harvest of fruits.

What is Fertilization

Fertilization is the process of fusion of germ cells. What is the difference between fertilization and pollination? First of all, the first process is the result and is impossible without the second one. In the course of pollination, spermatozoa appear on the stigma of the pistil. But in order to reach the egg, it is necessary to develop an embryonic tube. It sprouts, and along with it progress towards its goal and sperm.

Features of double fertilization of flowering plants

There are two cells in the pestle's ovary. It is an ovum and a central embryonic one. Therefore, during the fertilization process, two male sex cells participate. As a result of the fusion of the egg with the first sperm, the embryo of the future plant is formed. It contains all the necessary parts: the spine, the kidney, the leaf, the stem. And the result of fertilization with the second sperm of the central germ cell is the endosperm. This is a spare nutrient. The embryo with endosperm form a seed that is found in flowering plants inside the fruit, and in gymnosperms - open on scales of cones. Here is the difference between pollination and fertilization. This is the result. Fertilization occurs during fertilization. Gametes do not join unless they are mechanically moved. Pollination always occurs first and requires the intervention of external forces: animals, wind, water, insects. The result of fertilization is the seeds and fruits. It occurs without outside interference.

This is the difference between pollination and fertilization. These are the successive processes that underlie the sexual reproduction of spore and seed plants.