Question

What flower type cannot self-fertilize, and why?

   What flower type cannot self-fertilize, and why?

Must Know High School Biology

Must Know High School Biology

Kellie Ploeger Cox 1st Edition

Chapter 21, Problem 5

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Asma Venkitta

06/12/2021

Step 1

Some flowers, such as the dioecious plants, cannot self-fertilize because they have separate male and female plants. Show more…

Show all steps

lock

Thanks for your feedback!

What flower type cannot self-fertilize, and why?

Play audio

Feedback

Powered by NumerAI

Asma Venkitta and 91 other educators are ready to help you.

Ask a new question

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Self-Incompatibility

Self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism found in many flowering plants that prevents pollen from fertilizing ovules of the same plant. In this system, biochemical interactions between pollen and stigma determine whether fertilization will occur. If the pollen originates from the same genetic individual, these interactions are inhibited, ensuring that the plant does not produce offspring from self-fertilization and thus maintains genetic diversity.

Dioecy

Dioecy refers to a reproductive strategy where a plant species has male and female flowers on separate individual plants. Because each plant produces only one type of reproductive organ, self-fertilization is impossible. This separation obligates the plant to depend on cross-pollination between distinct individuals, which promotes genetic variation and reduces the risks associated with inbreeding.

Floral Morphology and Mechanisms Preventing Selfing

Floral morphology, including traits like spatial separation of reproductive organs (herkogamy) or different timing of sexual receptivity (dichogamy), can also serve to prevent self-fertilization. These physical and temporal barriers ensure that pollen does not often come into contact with the female parts of the same flower, thereby encouraging cross-pollination and the genetic benefits that accompany it.

Recommended Videos

Transcript

Ace is your personal tutor. It breaks down any question with clear steps so you can learn.

Start Using Ace

Continue solving this problem

Create a free account to:

View full step-by-step solution
Ask follow-up questions with Ace AI
Save progress and study later