Spotting Experiments (XII)

1. Flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects and birds).

Aim:
To study the flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, insects and birds).

Theory:
The process of transfer of pollen grains from anther to the stigma of either the same flower or
another flower of the same species is called pollination. In angiosperms, pollen grains are
immobile, hence require external agencies to reach to the stigma. The external agencies
involved in pollination may be abiotic (e.g. wind, water) or biotic (e.g. insects, birds, bats,
snails etc.).
Requirements:
• Plant Material: Fresh flower of maize, Salvia and Bignonia.
• Laboratory instruments: Compound Microscope, Dissection box.
Procedure:
1. The given flower was placed on a slide and the morphological characters were observed
and noted down.
2. The flower was dissected to study the morphology of male and female reproductive
whorls.
Observation:
The adaptive features of the flowers meant for pollination, were noted, which are as follows:
• Adaptive features of Maize flowers showing Anemophily (Wind Pollination):
1. Maize plant bears male and female flowers separately on the same plant. Male
flowers are terminal whereas, female flowers are axillary in position.
2. Flowers are small inconspicuous, colourless, odourless and nectarless.
3. Both stigma and anthers hang outside the perianth (exerted in position).
4. Anthers are versatile. Pollens are small, light and dusty.
5. Stigma is hairy, branched and sticky to catch wind dispersed pollens.
• Adaptive features of Salvia flower showing Entomophily (Insect Pollination):
1. The flowers are showy, brightly-coloured for attracting pollinating insects like
honeybees.
2. The flowers are borne in verticellaster inflorescence to become conspicuous.
3. Flowers secrete nectar to feed the visiting insects. Nectar glands are placed in
such a position that an insect must touch both anther and stigma.
4. Corolla is gamopetalous and bilabiate (two-lipped). The lower lip provides
landing platform for the insects.
 5. Each flower has two epipetalous stamens in which stamen is attached to the
petals by filaments.
6. One of the anther lobes is sterile and the other is fertile. Both lobes are separated
apart by a long connective tissue.
7. The upper arm of the connective tissue bears fertile anther and lower bears
sterile anthers.
8. When an insect lands on the lower lip of flower to collect nectar, the sterile
anther lobe is pushed down, which brings fertile lobe down in contact with the
insect body, thus dusting pollen on it.
9. In older flowers, the style brings the stigma in such a position that it brushes
against the back of insect and collects pollen grains brought by the insect from
a young flower.
• Adaptive features of Bignonia flower showing Ornithophily (Bird Pollination):
1. The flowers are big, brightly coloured.
2. The floral parts are thick and leathery, especially corolla.
3. The flowers produce abundant nectar and may also have certain edible parts.
Birds visit flower for feeding on this nectar.
4. The flowers are usually odourless.
 2. Pollen germination on stigma through a permanent slide.
Aim:
To study pollen germination on stigma through permanent slide.

Theory:
The pollen grains are the male gametophytes in angiosperms. In flowering plants one of the
most important steps in the reproductive process is pollination which involves the adherence
of pollen grains over the stigma surface and subsequent pollen tube growth facilitating the
process of microgametogenesis, i.e. formation of male gamete within the developing pollen
tube. Each pollen is surrounded by two wall layers – outer exine and inner intine. The outer
exine is made up of sporopollenin except the region of germ pore, through which intine comes
out in the form of pollen tube after pollination.

Requirements:
Compound Microscope, Permanent slide of pollen germination.

Procedure:
1. The permanent slide showing the pollen germination on stigma was observed under
compound microscope.
2. A well-labelled diagram was drawn in the practical copy.
Observation:
The presence of a number of germinating pollen grains has been observed on the stigma of the
carpel. The pollen tubes of the germinating pollen grains grow through the style traversing the
stylar tissue. A number of pollen tubes with varied length were observed.
Precaution:
The permanent slide should be handled carefully.
 3. Identification of stages of gamete development, i.e., T.S. of testis and T.S. of ovary
through permanent slides (from grasshopper/mice).

Aim:
To identify the stages of gamete development, i.e. T.S. of testis and T.S. of ovary through
permanent slides.

Theory:
Gametes are the haploid sex cells involved in sexual reproduction. The process of formation
male and female gametes (sperm and ovum respectively) is called gametogenesis.
Spermatogenesis occurs within testis whereas oogenesis occurs within the ovary.

Requirements:
Permanent slides of T.S. of testis and ovary, compound microscope.

Procedure:
1. The permanent slides showing the transverse sections of testis and ovary were observed
under compound microscope.
2. A well-labelled diagram was drawn in the practical copy.

Observation:
T.S. of Testis:
1. The transverse section of testis shows many seminiferous tubules embedded in
interstitial tissues. These appear as coiled, circular structures.
2. Each seminiferous tubule is lined on its inside by germinal epithelium which divides
mitotically to produce the precursor of male germ cells, called spermatogonia.
3. Various stages of development of sperm (spermatogenesis) from spermatogonia are
seen from periphery to the center of each tubule. The sequence of developmental stages
include:
Spermatogenesis (2n) Primary Spermatocyte (2n) Secondary
Spermatocyte (n) Spermatid (n) Spermatozoa (n).
4. All these stages are clearly visible. The mature sperms are present at the centre.
5. Sertoli cells are prominent pyramid-shaped cells found in between the germinal cells.
These cells provide nutrition to the developing spermatozoa.
T.S. of Ovary:
1. The section shows the mass of tissue lined with germinal epithelium.
2. The stroma is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerve fibres.
3. Various circular structures seen in stroma are graafian follicles in their various
developmental stages.
4. In the later stages of follicular development, a fluid-filled cavity called antrum appears
which separates the ovum and the cells around it except at one point.
5. As the cavity enlarges, graafian follicle (mature follicle) becomes ready to release
ovum.
6. The mature follicle ruptures and releases the mature ovum.
7. All stages of oogenesis cannot be seen at a same time, however they can be seen when
an ovary is observed for entire duration of menstrual cycle.
Precaution:
The permanent slide should be handled carefully.
 4. Meiosis in onion bud cell or grasshopper testis through permanent slides.

Aim:
To study meiosis in onion bud through permanent slides.

Theory:
➢ Pollen germination on stigma through a permanent slide :