NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
In marine seagrasses like Zostera, which of the following represents the correct adaptation of pollen grains for pollination?
Options
- AThey are long, ribbon-like and protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering
- BThey are light, non-sticky and easily carried by air currents
- CThey are sticky and surrounded by a pollenkitt layer
- DThey are spherical and heavy, sinking to the bottom to reach the submerged flowers
Correct answer
A. They are long, ribbon-like and protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering
Step-by-step solution
In marine seagrasses such as Zostera, pollination occurs entirely underwater (hydrophily). According to NCERT, the female flowers remain submerged in water and the pollen grains are released inside the water. To facilitate this, the pollen grains are long and ribbon-like so they can be carried passively by water currents. Furthermore, in most water-pollinated species, pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering. Light and non-sticky pollen grains are characteristic of wind-pollinated plants.