AP Biology : Understanding Plant Reproduction

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Plant Functions

Double fertilization in angiosperms results in a __________ zygote and a triploid __________.

Possible Answers:

diploid . . . endosperm

diploid . . . fruit

haploid . . . endosperm

haploid . . . fruit

diploid . . . seed

Correct answer:

diploid . . . endosperm

Explanation:

Double fertilization is the process by which two sperm cells are introduced to the ovule. One sperm () fertilizes the egg (), creating a zygote(). The other sperm combines with the two polar nuclei (), forming the endosperm () that will nourish the embryo.

Example Question #2 : Plant Functions

Which of the following is true of the sporophyte of a plant?

Possible Answers:

It produces spores, which grow into gametophytes

It produce seeds, which grow into gametophytes

It produce zygotes, which grow into gametophytes

None of these

It produce zygotes, which grow into sporophytes

Correct answer:

It produces spores, which grow into gametophytes

Explanation:

The sporophyte produces spores, which grow into gametophytes. The gametophyte produces both ovules and pollen, which unite to form a zygote. The zygote grows into the next sporophyte. The plant life cycle continues to alternate between these stages. In flowering plants, the gametophyte stage has been greatly reduced compared to the sporophyte stage.

Example Question #3 : Plant Functions

Pollination is a process in which pollen is transferred between which of the following two structures of an angiosperm?

Possible Answers:

From the stigma to the anther

From the stamen to the ovary 

From the pollen tube to the ovary 

From the anther to the stigma

Correct answer:

From the anther to the stigma

Explanation:

Pollination is the process in angiosperms through which pollen is transferred from the male anther to the female stigma. Pollination can be either abiotic (i.e. by the wind) or biotic (i.e. by an animal). This process precedes fertilization.

Example Question #1 : Plant Functions

Which of the following can be best described as a method of pollination?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Wind

Water

Another organism

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen from the male anther to the female stigma of an angiosperm. There are abiotic and biotic methods of pollinations. Abiotic pollination includes wind and water while in biotic pollination another organism facilitates pollination.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Plant Reproduction

Diecious plants (such as Gingko biloba) have separate sexes rather than having both male and female parts on a single plant.

Given that ginkgo is diecious, which plants would you expect to produce pollen?

Possible Answers:

All male gingko plants and some female gingko plants

Only male gingko plants

Both male and female gingko plants

Only female gingko plants

Niether; diecious plants do not produce pollen

Correct answer:

Only male gingko plants

Explanation:

Pollen is the male part of the plant, and thus is only produced by male ginkgo plants. Females have ovules with a fleshy, fruit-like outer layer and rely on the males plants for pollination. (Ginkgo is a gymnosperm and thus technically not a flowering/fruit-producing plant.)

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors