Pollen
Pollen
Pollen (/ˈpɒl.ən/) is a fine to coarse powdery substance comprising pollen grains which are male microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce male gametes (sperm cells).
Etymology
The term "pollen" comes from the Latin pollen, meaning "fine flour". This term was first used in the early 18th century to describe the fine particles produced by flowering plants.
Description
Pollen grains have a hard coat made of Sporopollenin that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the Stamen (the male part of the flower) to the Pistil (the female part of the flower).
Types of Pollen
There are two types of pollen: Entomophilous pollen, which is spread by insects, and Anemophilous pollen, which is spread by the wind.
Related Terms
- Allergy: Some people are allergic to certain types of pollen. This is known as Hay Fever or allergic rhinitis.
- Pollen Tube: After a pollen grain lands on the pistil of a flower, it germinates and grows a pollen tube to transport the sperm cells to the ovule.
- Pollen Count: This is a measure of the amount of pollen in the air, usually given in grains of pollen per cubic meter of air.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pollen
- Wikipedia's article - Pollen
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