Question

1. What is meant by self-fertilize vs. cross-fertilize (pollination)? How did Mendel assure his experiment was done correctly?

Answer 1

Self pollination occurs when the pollen transfer happens on the same flower or another flower of the same plant, i.e

• from anther of one flower to the stigma of the same flower
• from anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on the same plant

Cross pollination occurs when the pollen transfer happens between flowers of two different plants belonging to the same species i.e

• from anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on a different plant of same species

Diagram showing the pollen germinating on the stigma

Gicaminatinge pouen Grain ma Style polen tube → Antipodal ccus 5econdary Nucteus Tube nucleus synergid ㄧㄧㄧ → placenta serand

Gregor Mendel conducted experiments on the pea plants studying the seven features of the pea plant and their inheritance. He discovered what are now called the "Mendel's Laws of Inheritance" - "Law of Segregation" and "Law of Independent Assortment". Mendel made observations on his experiments and collected the data. He even counted the data. He assured his experiments were done correctly based on the mathematical analysis of the data.