Question:

An interesting modification of flower shape for insect pollination occurs in some orchids in which a male insect mistakes the pattern on the orchid flower for the female species and tries to copulate with it, thereby pollinating the flower. This phenomenon is called

Updated On: Jul 18, 2024
  • pseudopollination
  • pseudoparthenocarpy
  • mimicry
  • pseudocopulation.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

In an orchid Ophrys speculum, there is most interesting and unique mechanism of pollination. Here pollination occurs by a wasp called Culpa aurea. In this orchid, pollination occurs by act of pseudocopulation. The appearance and odour of Ophrys is similar to female wasp and are mistake by male wasps and they land on Ophrys flowers to perform act of pseudo-copulation and thus pollination takes place. This plant-insect relationship is useful only to plant.
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Concepts Used:

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants takes place or happens when the production of a new organism occurs from two parents by making use of their gametes or sex cells. Both sexual and asexual reproduction can be found in plants. Nearly all flowering plants reproduce sexually. Flowers play a captious role in the process as it carries both the male and female reproductive parts commonly known as androecium and gynoecium respectively.

An individual flower comprises the following parts - 

  • Pedicle
  • Calyx
  • Petals
  • Sepals
  • Stamen
  • Pistil
  • Receptacle