16.3

Sexual reproduction in plants

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 16: Reproduction  · 12 flashcards

Sexual reproduction in plants is topic 16.3 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 16 — Reproduction , alongside Asexual reproduction, Sexual reproduction and Sexual reproduction in humans.  In one line: The anther is the part of the stamen that produces and contains pollen grains. These pollen grains contain the male gametes required for fertilization.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 show this topic across 14 questions worth 183 marks (around 2.7% of all Biology marks in those years).

The deck below contains 12 flashcards — 4 definitions, 4 key concepts, 2 process cards, 1 application card and 1 identification card — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the 4 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

The function of the anther in a flower

The anther is the part of the stamen that produces and contains pollen grains. These pollen grains contain the male gametes required for fertilization.

Example: In a lily, the anthers are easily visible at the tip of the filaments.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

2026-2028 syllabus, in our words

What the syllabus expects you to be able to do in this topic, in plain English. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks. For the exact wording, see the official syllabus (PDF).

  1. Identify Draw these structures of an insect-pollinated flower and identify them in diagrams and images: anthers, carpels, filaments, ovary, ovules, petals, sepals, stamens, stigma and style.
  2. State State the function of each of these insect-pollinated flower parts: anthers, carpels, filaments, ovary, ovules, petals, sepals, stamens, stigma and style.
  3. Identify Describe a wind-pollinated flower's stigmas and anthers, and identify them in diagrams and images.
  4. Distinguish Distinguish between pollen grains from wind-pollinated flowers and those from insect-pollinated flowers.
  5. Describe Describe pollination: pollen grains being transferred from anther to stigma.
  6. State State that fertilisation happens when a nucleus from a pollen grain fuses with a nucleus inside an ovule.
  7. Describe Describe how wind-pollinated and insect-pollinated flowers are adapted in their structure.
  8. Investigate Investigate and describe which environmental conditions seeds need to germinate, limited to a suitable temperature, oxygen and water.
  9. Describe Describe self-pollination: pollen grains move from a flower's anther to a stigma on that same flower, or on another flower of the same plant. Supplement
  10. Describe Describe cross-pollination: pollen grains move from a flower's anther to a stigma on a flower of another plant belonging to the same species. Supplement
  11. Discuss Discuss the possible effects on a population of self-pollination and of cross-pollination, considering variation, the ability to respond to environmental change and dependence on pollinators. Supplement
  12. Describe Describe how the pollen tube grows and enters the ovule, followed by fertilisation (you do not need details of how the endosperm is produced or of later development). Supplement
Key Concept Flip

What are the main parts of an insect-pollinated flower?

Answer Flip

The main parts include sepals (protect the bud), petals (attract pollinators), stamens (male parts with filament and anther), and carpels (female parts with stigma, style, and ovary containing ovules).

Example: A rose flower displays these parts.
Definition Flip

What is the function of the anther in a flower?

Answer Flip

The anther is the part of the stamen that produces and contains pollen grains. These pollen grains contain the male gametes required for fertilization.

Example: In a lily, the anthers are easily visible at the tip of the filaments.
Key Concept Flip

What are the structural differences between the anthers and stigmas of wind-pollinated versus insect-pollinated flowers?

Answer Flip

Wind-pollinated flowers have exposed anthers and feathery stigmas to catch pollen carried by the wind. Insect-pollinated flowers have anthers inside the flower and sticky stigmas to catch pollen from insects.

Example: Grasses are wind-pollinated, while roses are insect-pollinated.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the key differences between pollen grains of insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers.

Answer Flip

Insect-pollinated flower pollen is often large, heavy, and sticky or spiky, aiding adherence to pollinators. Wind-pollinated flower pollen is typically small, light, and smooth for easy dispersal by wind.

Example: Sunflower pollen vs. grass pollen.
Definition Flip

Define pollination.

Answer Flip

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower. This is a necessary precursor to fertilization.

Example: A bee carrying pollen from one flower to another.
Key Concept Flip

What happens during fertilization in plants?

Answer Flip

Fertilization occurs when a pollen nucleus (male gamete) fuses with a nucleus in an ovule (female gamete) inside the ovary. This fusion results in the formation of a zygote, which develops into an embryo.

Example: The fusion of sperm and egg cells in a pea plant.
Key Concept Flip

Describe two adaptations of insect-pollinated flowers that attract insects.

Answer Flip

Insect-pollinated flowers often have bright and colourful petals to attract insects visually. They also frequently produce nectar, a sugary substance that provides food for pollinators.

Example: The bright petals and sweet nectar of a rose.
Key Concept Flip

Name three environmental conditions required for seed germination.

Answer Flip

Seed germination requires water (to activate enzymes), oxygen (for respiration), and a suitable temperature (for optimal enzyme activity).

Example: Bean seeds require moisture, warmth, and oxygen to sprout.
Definition Flip

What is self-pollination?

Answer Flip

Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. It reduces genetic variation.

Example: Some pea plants can self-pollinate.
Definition Flip

What is cross-pollination?

Answer Flip

Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species. This promotes genetic diversity.

Example: Wind carrying pollen from one oak tree to another.
Key Concept Flip

How can self-pollination affect a plant population's ability to respond to environmental change?

Answer Flip

Self-pollination reduces genetic variation, making the population less able to adapt to new environmental challenges like diseases or climate change. With less variation, there's a lower chance that some individuals will possess traits that allow them to survive in altered conditions.

Example: A population of wheat that is primarily self-pollinating might be wiped out by a new fungal disease.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the growth of the pollen tube during fertilization.

Answer Flip

After landing on the stigma, a pollen grain germinates and grows a pollen tube down the style to the ovary. The pollen tube then enters the ovule, allowing the pollen nucleus to fertilize the egg cell.

Example: Observe under microscope pollen tube growing after pollination in a Petunia flower.

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16.2 Sexual reproduction 16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans

Key Questions: Sexual reproduction in plants

What is the function of the anther in a flower?

The anther is the part of the stamen that produces and contains pollen grains. These pollen grains contain the male gametes required for fertilization.

Example: In a lily, the anthers are easily visible at the tip of the filaments.
Define pollination.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of a flower. This is a necessary precursor to fertilization.

Example: A bee carrying pollen from one flower to another.
What is self-pollination?

Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. It reduces genetic variation.

Example: Some pea plants can self-pollinate.
What is cross-pollination?

Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species. This promotes genetic diversity.

Example: Wind carrying pollen from one oak tree to another.

Tips to avoid common mistakes in Sexual reproduction in plants

More topics in Unit 16 — Reproduction

Sexual reproduction in plants sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

16.1 Asexual reproduction

10 flashcards
16.2 Sexual reproduction

10 flashcards
16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans

12 flashcards
16.5 Sex hormones in humans

10 flashcards
16.6 Sexually transmitted infections

9 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

flower petal sepal stamen anther filament carpel stigma style ovary ovule pollen pollination self-pollination cross-pollination insect pollination wind pollination fertilisation seed fruit germination seed dispersal

Key terms covered in this Sexual reproduction in plants deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

The function of the anther in a flower
Pollination
Self-pollination
Cross-pollination

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