Notes to Instructors
Chapter 38 Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology
What is the focus of this activity?
All plants display an alternation of generations between a multicellular haploid or
generative nucleus, and two sperm nuclei.
What is this particular activity designed to do?
Activity 38.1 How can plant reproduction be modified using biotechnology?
This activity is designed to help students understand the basic structure and function of
Answers
Activity 38.1 How can plant reproduction be modified using
biotechnology?
Answer questions 1–7. Then in question 8 you will develop a concept map that links
the information from all seven answers.
1. Draw a general diagram of the life cycle of a seed plant. Indicate which steps are
haploid and which are diploid.
2. Draw and label all parts of a complete flower. Indicate the functions of the major
parts.
A complete flower includes sepals, petals, stamens, and carpel(s).
3. Draw and label a mature ovule. Include the micropyle, integuments, nucellus,
synergids, polar nuclei, egg, and anti-podals. Indicate the functions of each of these
structures.
4. Define microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis. In what portion(s) of the flower
does each of these processes occur? What is the end product of each process?
Microsporogenesis occurs in the sporangia of the anther in flowers. Microsporocytes
5. What is pollination? How does it differ from fertilization?
Pollination occurs when pollen lands on the stigma of a genetically compatible
plant.
6. What stages of the life cycle are eliminated or bypassed when plants are cloned
naturally? When plants are cloned on the farm or in the laboratory?
The gametophyte generation is bypassed in both situations.
256 Activity 38.1
7. What does the science of plant biotechnology do that artificial selection and/or
cloning practices don’t do?
Biotechnology can add genes from other organisms to plants. For example, a gene
8. Construct a concept map that links all of the information in questions 1–7. Do this
on a separate piece of paper.
Activity 38.1 257