Which structure eliminated the need for water for plant reproduction?

Question

Which structure eliminated the need for water for plant reproduction?

a. pollen
b. pollinators
c. flowers
d. sperm
e. cones

with flowers, wind and bugs could do it.

Bob- In my lecture it says..."some plants developed pollen instead of sperm as male gametes so that they could be carried by wind rather than water to the female gametes..."

With that it kind of sounds like pollen right? I'm not good at this! Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, you're correct! The structure that eliminated the need for water for plant reproduction is pollen (option a). Pollen is a fine powder produced by the male parts of a flower called stamens. Instead of relying on water to carry the sperm to the female gametes, plants with pollen developed a method for their male gametes (sperm) to be transported by wind or other means, such as pollinators like insects or birds. This innovation allowed plants to reproduce without being dependent on water, opening up more opportunities for them to colonize diverse habitats. So, the correct answer is a. pollen. Well done!