Question

Explain any four devices that flowering plants have developed to encourage cross-pollination.

Hint:

Cross-pollination ensures genetic diversity, which is essential for plant adaptability and evolution.

Answer 1

Flowering plants have developed the following devices to encourage cross-pollination: Dichogamy: Temporal separation of male and female reproductive organ maturity (e.g., protandry in sunflower). Self-incompatibility: Genetic mechanism that prevents self-pollen germination (e.g., Brassica). Herkogamy: Physical barrier between male and female organs to prevent self-pollination (e.g., hibiscus). Monoecy and Dioecy: Separation of male and female flowers on the same or different plants (e.g., maize and papaya).