Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
- 2. Chemistry3h 37m
- 3. Water1h 26m
- 4. Biomolecules2h 23m
- 5. Cell Components2h 26m
- 6. The Membrane2h 31m
- 7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
- 8. Respiration2h 40m
- 9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
- 10. Cell Signaling59m
- 11. Cell Division2h 47m
- 12. Meiosis2h 0m
- 13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
- Introduction to Mendel's Experiments7m
- Genotype vs. Phenotype17m
- Punnett Squares13m
- Mendel's Experiments26m
- Mendel's Laws18m
- Monohybrid Crosses19m
- Test Crosses14m
- Dihybrid Crosses20m
- Punnett Square Probability26m
- Incomplete Dominance vs. Codominance20m
- Epistasis7m
- Non-Mendelian Genetics12m
- Pedigrees6m
- Autosomal Inheritance21m
- Sex-Linked Inheritance43m
- X-Inactivation9m
- 14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
- 15. Gene Expression3h 6m
- 16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
- Introduction to Regulation of Gene Expression13m
- Prokaryotic Gene Regulation via Operons27m
- The Lac Operon21m
- Glucose's Impact on Lac Operon25m
- The Trp Operon20m
- Review of the Lac Operon & Trp Operon11m
- Introduction to Eukaryotic Gene Regulation9m
- Eukaryotic Chromatin Modifications16m
- Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control22m
- Eukaryotic Post-Transcriptional Regulation28m
- Eukaryotic Post-Translational Regulation13m
- 17. Viruses37m
- 18. Biotechnology2h 58m
- 19. Genomics17m
- 20. Development1h 5m
- 21. Evolution3h 1m
- 22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
- 23. Speciation1h 37m
- 24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
- 25. Phylogeny2h 31m
- 26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
- 27. Protists1h 12m
- 28. Plants1h 22m
- 29. Fungi36m
- 30. Overview of Animals34m
- 31. Invertebrates1h 2m
- 32. Vertebrates50m
- 33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
- 34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- 35. Soil37m
- 36. Plant Reproduction47m
- 37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
- 38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
- 39. Digestive System1h 10m
- 40. Circulatory System1h 49m
- 41. Immune System1h 12m
- 42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- 43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- 44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- 45. Nervous System1h 55m
- 46. Sensory Systems46m
- 47. Muscle Systems23m
- 48. Ecology3h 11m
- Introduction to Ecology20m
- Biogeography14m
- Earth's Climate Patterns50m
- Introduction to Terrestrial Biomes10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Near Equator13m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Regions10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Northern Regions15m
- Introduction to Aquatic Biomes27m
- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes14m
- Marine Aquatic Biomes13m
- 49. Animal Behavior28m
- 50. Population Ecology3h 41m
- Introduction to Population Ecology28m
- Population Sampling Methods23m
- Life History12m
- Population Demography17m
- Factors Limiting Population Growth14m
- Introduction to Population Growth Models22m
- Linear Population Growth6m
- Exponential Population Growth29m
- Logistic Population Growth32m
- r/K Selection10m
- The Human Population22m
- 51. Community Ecology2h 46m
- Introduction to Community Ecology2m
- Introduction to Community Interactions9m
- Community Interactions: Competition (-/-)38m
- Community Interactions: Exploitation (+/-)23m
- Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0)9m
- Community Structure35m
- Community Dynamics26m
- Geographic Impact on Communities21m
- 52. Ecosystems2h 36m
- 53. Conservation Biology24m
36. Plant Reproduction
Flowers
Problem 2
Textbook Question
In angiosperms, each pollen grain produces two sperm. What do these sperm do?
a. Each one fertilizes a separate egg cell
b. One fertilizes an egg, and the other is kept in reserve
c. Both fertilize a single egg cell
d. One fertilizes an egg, and the other fertilizes a cell that develops into stored food

1
Understand the process of double fertilization in angiosperms: Angiosperms (flowering plants) undergo a unique process called double fertilization, where two sperm cells from a single pollen grain are involved in fertilization.
Recall the role of the first sperm: One sperm cell fertilizes the egg cell, forming a diploid zygote, which will develop into the embryo of the seed.
Recall the role of the second sperm: The second sperm cell fuses with two polar nuclei in the central cell of the ovule, forming a triploid cell. This triploid cell develops into the endosperm, which serves as stored food for the developing embryo.
Eliminate incorrect options: a) is incorrect because only one egg is fertilized. b) is incorrect because the second sperm is not kept in reserve. c) is incorrect because both sperm do not fertilize the same egg.
Select the correct answer: The correct answer is d) One sperm fertilizes an egg, and the other fertilizes a cell that develops into stored food, which aligns with the process of double fertilization in angiosperms.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Double Fertilization
Double fertilization is a unique process in angiosperms where one sperm cell fertilizes the egg cell to form the zygote, while the other sperm cell fuses with two polar nuclei to form the triploid endosperm. This endosperm serves as a nutrient source for the developing embryo, making it crucial for seed development.
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Double Fertilization
Pollen Grain Structure
A pollen grain in angiosperms contains two sperm cells and is the male gametophyte. Upon landing on a compatible stigma, it germinates and forms a pollen tube that delivers the sperm cells to the ovule, where fertilization occurs. Understanding this structure is essential for grasping how fertilization takes place.
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Community Structure
Angiosperm Reproductive Cycle
The reproductive cycle of angiosperms involves the alternation of generations, where the diploid sporophyte produces haploid gametes through meiosis. This cycle includes the formation of flowers, pollination, fertilization, and seed development, highlighting the complex interactions between male and female gametes in plant reproduction.
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Life Cycle of Sexual Reproducers
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Related Practice
Multiple Choice
In an environment that is very stable, with reliable moisture and temperature, what type of reproduction would be most advantageous for a plant, and why?
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