The stigma, style, ovary, and ovule are the primary components of the pistil, which is the female structure of a flower. It’s largely developed or adapted for pollination, with fertilisation following.
Anatomy of pistil:
The female reproductive system is represented by this section of the flower, which is positioned in the centre. The stigma is made up of a stigma, an involucre, and an ovary, all of which are different shapes and sticky (with potential seeds or ovules). The number of pistils in flowers varies considerably depending on the species. The fundamental function of pistils, which are made up of one to many structures that resemble leaves, is to guard the ovules.
Structure of pistil:
The female reproductive portion of a flower is the pistil, which is located in the centre of the bloom. A swelling base, the ovary, ovules, a stalk, a pollen-receptive tip, the stigma, and other female reproductive elements of a flower make up the majority of it. It has a variety of shapes and is frequently sticky. The number of pistils in a flower varies depending on the species. Each pistil is made up of one to many enrolled leaf-like appendages that serve to protect the ovules.
Compatible pollen grains fall on the stigma, germinate, and form a pollen tube during pollination. The pollen tube grows down through the style tissue, depositing sperm for fertilisation of the ovary’s ovules. In contrast to the male reproductive components, or androecium, pistils collectively comprise the gynoecium.
Parts of pistil:
A flower’s pistil is usually found in the centre, surrounded by stamen. The stigma, style, and ovary are the three primary components.
Stigma:
The pistil stigma is sticky and positioned at the top of the pistil. Its function is to trap pollen grains on the pistil, allowing pollination to occur.
Style:
The style is a stalk-like tube that extends from the pistil’s ovary. Its job is to deliver the male gamete from the sperm to the ovary.
Ovary:
The female gamete, the ovules, are found in the ovary of the pistil. The ovary’s job is to keep the ovules safe. This occurs after the ovules have been fertilised and the ovaries’ walls have thickened.
Interaction of pollen and pistils:
When pollination does not result in effective fertilisation, the pistil of a flower must be able to detect pollen from the same species. It is critical to comprehend how pollen grains interact with the stigma of the flower to fully comprehend how they interact. When compatible pollen is received by the pistil of a flower, the incompatible pollen is rejected. The flower goes through a fertilisation process from this point forward. The interaction between pollen and pistil, as well as the chemical compounds emitted by pollen, results in a pistil that can recognise its pollen.
Functions of pistil:
The pistil’s primary job is to create ovules. The pistil’s other functions and significance include:
- It is a flower’s female reproductive component.
- It collects pollen and assists with pollination.
- It is also involved in the pollen grain germination process.
- It also contributes to pollination by transporting pollen grains.
- The stigma, which has a sticky tip and is important for pollen grain germination, is part of the pistil.
Several pistils in a flower:
The female house of a flower, also known as a pistil, is called a gynoecium. There are three forms of the gynoecium, which are distinguished by the number of pistils present in the flower.
- The unicarpellate is made up of only one pistil. Avocado is an example of a fruit that arises from a unicarpellate.
- Two, three, or five pistils are fused in the syncarpous, or compound pistil. The number of pistils in a flower can be determined by looking at a cross-section of the ovary or fruit. Tomato is an example of a fruit that grows from a syncarpous bloom.
- The apocarpous possesses numerous pistils, allowing one bloom to produce a large amount of fruit. A custard apple is an example of a fruit that develops from an apocarpous bloom.
Conclusion:
The pistil is the flower’s female reproductive component. Pistil aids in pollen reception as well as fertilisation. The pistil is also engaged in the pollen grain germination process. It also aids in the transport of pollen grains during pollination. The stigma, which has a sticky tip and plays an important function in pollen grain germination, is made up of the pistil.