Pollination

The transfer of the pollen grains from the male reproductive organ (anther) to the female reproductive organ (stigma) of the flowers in angiosperms (flowering plants) to the ovule in gymnosperms (non-flowering plants) is called pollination.

Characteristics

Characteristics of Pollination include:

1. Pollination occurs through various mechanisms including wind, water, insects, birds, and other animals.
2. It is an important phase in plant reproduction as the male gametes which are sperm can be transferred to the female gametes (eggs).
3. Self-pollination (means transfer of pollens within the same flower or same flower of a similar plant) and cross-pollination (means transfer of pollen between flowers of different plants) are the two types of pollination.
4. Insect-pollinated flowers often have adaptations like bright colors, fragrances, or nectar to attract pollinators, while wind-pollinated flowers tend to produce large amounts of lightweight pollen.
5. Not all plants rely on pollination for reproduction. Some plants like ferns and mosses reproduce through spores and do not produce flowers or rely on pollinators.

Difference Between Pollination and Fertilization: Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male reproductive organ (anther) to the female reproductive organ (stigma) in a flower resulting in the formation of seeds. It is primarily carried out by various agents like wind, water, insects, birds, or other animals.