When the anthers are burst open, they shed a number of . . .
To determine what the anthers shed when they burst open, we need to understand the anatomy of a flower. Anthers are part of the male reproductive structure in a flower called the stamen. They are responsible for producing and releasing pollen, which contains the male gametes (sperm cells) necessary for fertilization.
When anthers burst open, they release the pollen grains they contain into the surroundings. The number of pollen grains shed can vary depending on the flower species and environmental conditions. Each pollen grain is microscopic and contains a haploid nucleus that can potentially fertilize the female reproductive structures of another flower.
To observe the number of pollen grains shed by burst open anthers, you can carefully collect the anthers from a flower at the right stage of development. Place the anthers on a clean glass slide or paper and gently tap or shake them. This will cause the pollen grains to get dislodged and fall onto the surface. Then, use a microscope to count the number of pollen grains present. Repeat this process for multiple anthers to get an average count.
It's worth noting that the number of pollen grains shed by anthers can be quite large, reaching into the millions for some plant species. This is because plants produce vast quantities of pollen to increase the chances of successful pollination and reproduction.