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Learn4BI1Paper 1B · Paper 1 (core content)Reproduction and inheritanceReproduction in plants
Reproduction and inheritance · Subtopic 1 of 5

Reproduction in Plants

Asexual reproduction needs one parent and produces genetically identical offspring (clones), e.g. runners, tubers, cuttings: fast, but no variation. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes (fertilisation), giving variation. In flowers, pollen (male gametes) from the anther lands on the stigma (pollination). A pollen tube grows down to the ovule in the ovary, where fertilisation happens; the ovule becomes a seed and the ovary a fruit. Insect-pollinated flowers are colourful with nectar and sticky pollen; wind-pollinated flowers are small with feathery stigmas and light pollen. Germination needs water, oxygen and warmth.

Cambridge 5090 Paper 1Cambridge 5090 Paper 2Cambridge 0610 Papers 2, 4Cambridge 0610 Papers 1, 3Edexcel 4BI1 Paper 1BEdexcel 4BI1 Paper 2B≈ 40 minRevision 1 · updated 2026-10-30
Section 1 of 14

Learning objectives

  • Compare asexual and sexual reproduction.
  • Describe flower structure and pollination.
  • Describe fertilisation and seed formation.
  • State the conditions for germination.
Pause and think

Strawberry plants send out runners that root and grow into new plants. Why do growers still plant seeds sometimes?

Section 2 of 14

Core idea

Start hereFlowers are adverts

Bright petals, sweet scent and nectar are all adverts aimed at insects. Grasses don't bother: they trust the wind.

The big idea

Plants reproduce asexually (identical offspring) or sexually (pollination then fertilisation, giving variation). Flower structure matches the pollinator.

1. From pollen to seed

Sexual reproduction in flowers

Pollination comes before fertilisation.

Worked exampleIdentifying the pollinator

A flower has small green petals, long dangling anthers and large feathery stigmas.

Goal
Pollinated by?
Strategy
Match features.
  1. no bright petals or scent\text{no bright petals or scent}
    Doesn't need to attract insects.
  2. exposed anthers and stigmas\text{exposed anthers and stigmas}
    Release and catch pollen in the wind.
AnswerWind-pollinated.
✓ CheckTypical of grasses ✓.
Key takeawayGermination Needs water (activates enzymes), oxygen (respiration) and warmth (enzyme activity). Light isn't needed until leaves appear.
Pause and think

Why do gardeners take cuttings from their best rose bush rather than growing seeds?

Summary

  • Asexual: clones; sexual: variation.
  • Pollination → fertilisation.
  • Water, oxygen, warmth for germination.
Key words
Pollination
Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.
Fertilisation
Fusion of male and female gamete nuclei.
Germination
Start of growth of a seed.
HistoryKölreuter. In the 1760s Joseph Kölreuter showed that insects carry pollen and that both parent plants contribute to offspring, by hand-pollinating tobacco plants.
Fun factCorpse flower. The titan arum smells of rotting meat to attract carrion flies as pollinators. Its flower spike can grow over 3 m tall.
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