Stigmas ensure pollination: angiosperms

1 of 1 Pollen grains on hibiscus flower / Stavros Mark.. / License

The stigmas of flowering plants selectively recognize pollen from the same species in part through biochemical interactions.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"A stigma will not react to pollen from another species. Since the physical shape of the pollen grains is so distinctive, it is tempting to think that the recognition between the two is a geometric one analogous to the way that a lock can recognise a key that belongs to it. This may in fact be the case, though if so it is only part of the mechanism of recognition. Other biochemical stimulations and responses also play a crucial part." (Attenborough 1995:96)

About the inspiring organism

Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

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Application Ideas: Biosensors with improved sensitivity.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Biosensors

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Stigmas ensure pollination: angiosperms

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