➱ The anther's main role is to produce pollen, which contains the male reproductive cells necessary for the fertilization of the flower's ovules, leading to the formation of seeds and the continuation of the plant's life cycle.
Explanation :
An anther is a part of a flower's reproductive structure called the stamen. It plays a crucial role in the process of plant reproduction. Here's a detailed explanation of what the anther does: ⤵
- The primary function of the anther is to produce pollen, which is a fine, powdery substance containing the male reproductive cells of the flower. These male cells are called pollen grains. Pollen grains are essential for fertilization because they carry the male genetic material that needs to fuse with the female genetic material (contained in the ovules) to form seeds.
- The process of pollen production within the anther is called microsporogenesis. Specialized cells in the anther undergo a series of divisions to produce pollen mother cells. These mother cells then go through meiosis, a type of cell division, which results in the formation of four haploid pollen grains from each pollen mother cell.
- Once mature, the pollen grains are released from the anther. They are often carried by wind, insects, or other pollinators to the female reproductive part of the flower called the stigma. This transfer of pollen is known as pollination. When pollen lands on a compatible stigma, it germinates and grows a pollen tube, allowing the male genetic material to travel to the ovules contained in the ovary. This tube delivers the sperm cells to the ovules for fertilization to occur.