Types of Pollination, Definition, Types, and Pros and Cons

Types of pollination  play a critical role in the reproduction of flowering plants, facilitating the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive part (anther) to the female reproductive part (stigma). This transfer is essential for fertilization and seed formation, which ensures the survival and spread of plant species. Pollination is categorized into two primary types: self-pollination, where pollen is transferred within the same plant, and cross-pollination, which occurs between different plants of the same species. Understanding these types, their processes, and their significance is important for the  NEET Exam , as this is a frequently examined topic in the biology syllabus .

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Types of Pollination

Self Pollination

Types of Self-Pollination

• Autogamy: The transfer of pollen within the same flower. It requires the anther and stigma to mature simultaneously and be close enough for effective transfer.
• Geitonogamy: The transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on the same plant.

Advantages of Self-Pollination

• Ensures pollination even in the absence of external pollinators.
• Maintains genetic stability by preserving the same traits over generations.
• Requires less energy since external agents are not needed.

Disadvantages of Self-Pollination

• Reduces genetic diversity, which may lower adaptability to changing environments.
• Increases the risk of inbreeding depression, leading to weaker offspring.
• May limit the potential for beneficial traits to develop through genetic variation.

Cross-Pollination

Types of Cross-Pollination

• Anemophily: Pollination by wind, where lightweight pollen grains are carried through the air to other flowers.
• Hydrophily: Pollination by water, where pollen is transported in aquatic environments.
• Zoophily: Pollination by animals, which includes insects (entomophily), birds (ornithophily), and mammals.

Advantages of Cross-Pollination

• Promotes genetic diversity, which enhances adaptability and resistance to environmental changes.
• Produces healthier and more vigorous offspring due to the combination of different genetic materials.
• Encourages the evolution of beneficial traits in plants.

Disadvantages of Cross-Pollination

• Relies heavily on external agents, which may not always be available.
• Requires more energy for the production of attractants like nectar, fragrance, or brightly colored petals.
• Can result in wastage of pollen if conditions are not favorable for successful transfer.

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MCQs of Types of Pollination

Q1. The flowers, which expose their mature anthers and stigma to the pollinating agents are called;

1. cleistogamous
2. autogamous
3. pseudogamous
4. chasmogamous

Q2. Which characters should be possessed by autogamous flowers?

1. Synchrony in pollen release and stigma receptivity
2. The anthers and the stigma should lie close to each other
3. The anthers and the stigma should lie on different flowers
4. Both (1) and (2)

Q3. One advantage of Cleistogamy is;

1. Seed sets are not dependent on pollinators.
2. Seed dispersal is more efficient and widespread.
3. Each visit of a pollinator results in the transfer of hundreds of pollen grains.
4. It leads to greater genetic diversity.

Answers of MCQs of Types of Pollination