Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

Distinction between Pollination and Fertilisation:

| Basis | Pollination | Fertilisation |
|---|---|---|
| Structures involved | Anther (stamen) and stigma (pistil) | Pollen tube, ovule, egg cell |
| Where it occurs | On the surface of the stigma | Inside the ovary (in the ovule) |
| Outcome | Transfer of pollen grains to stigma | Fusion of male germ-cell with egg cell to form zygote |

How pollination sets the stage for fertilisation:

After pollen lands on a suitable stigma, a pollen tube grows out of the pollen grain and travels down through the style to reach the ovary. This pollen tube carries the male germ-cell to the female germ-cell (egg cell) present in the ovule, making fertilisation possible. Without pollination, the pollen tube cannot form and the male gamete cannot reach the ovule.

Source: Chapter 7, Section 7.3.2 — Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

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• The table earns 3 marks (one row per basis); the last paragraph earns 2 marks.
• Key terms examiners look for: anther, stigma, pollen tube, style, ovary, ovule, egg cell, zygote.
• Don't confuse pollination (transfer of pollen) with fertilisation (fusion of gametes) — they are two separate, sequential events.
• The phrase "suitable stigma" matters — it signals species-specificity, which is a good detail to include.