KS3 Plant Reproduction Glossary
A feature that enables an organism to survive in the conditions in
adaptation
which they normally live.
animal dispersal A method of seed dispersal where seeds are buried by animals or
(externally) stick to their fur and are carried away from the parent plant.
animal dispersal A method of seed dispersal where seeds are eaten by animals
(internally) and deposited away from the parent plant in their faeces.
anther Produces male sex cells (pollen grains).
asexual Reproduction involving only one parent that produces genetically
reproduction identical offspring (clones).
The female reproductive part of the flower, consisting of the
carpel
ovary, ovule, style and stigma.
A piece of plant that is cut from a parent plant and then made to
cutting
form roots and shoots by putting it in favourable conditions.
The scattering of an organism so they can grow with less
dispersal
competition.
A method of seed dispersal in which a fruit falls from a tree and
drop and roll
splits open when it hits the ground.
A method of seed dispersal where a pod containing seeds dries
explosion
and seeds are expelled.
fertilisation The fusion of male and female gametes.
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KS3 Plant Reproduction Glossary
filament A stalk-like structure that supports the anther.
Tissue that surrounds seeds to protect them during growth.
fruit
Often edible to attract animals for seed dispersal.
gamete A male or female sex cell.
germination In plants, the growth from a seed after a period of dormancy.
A method of pollination which relies on insects to carry the pollen
insect pollination
from one plant to another.
nectar A sugary liquid which attracts pollinating animals to a flower.
ovary Produces female sex cells (eggs).
ovule Develops into a seed after fertilisation.
petal May be brightly coloured to attract insects.
pollen The male plant sex cell.
The transfer of pollen from the male part of a plant to the female
pollination
part. This may be on the same plant.
pollinator An organism which transfers pollen from one plant to another.
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KS3 Plant Reproduction Glossary
reproduction The production of offspring.
Side branches of a plant that have plantlets on them that can
runners grow into a new plant. Some plants reproduce asexually by
producing these.
The spreading of seeds away from the parent plant to reduce
seed dispersal
competition between the new plants and the parent.
These protect the flower before it is opened when it is still a bud.
sepal
They are often green.
Reproduction in which male and female gametes fuse at
sexual reproduction fertilisation to produce offspring that are genetically different to
the parents.
The male part of a flower consisting of an anther held up on a
stamen
filament.
The top of the female part of the flower which is sticky, so pollen
stigma
grains stick to it.
The tube connecting the stigma to the ovary which pollen travels
style
down.
A method of seed dispersal where seeds are carried from the
water dispersal
parent plant by water.
A method of seed dispersal where seeds are carried away from
wind dispersal
the parent plant by the wind.
A method of pollination which relies on the wind to carry the
wind pollination
pollen from one plant to another.
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