Wind Pollination Characteristics and Adaptations

The video explains the differences between wind and animal pollination. Wind-pollinated plants, such as grasses and many trees, do not need to attract pollinators and thus lack large petals and fragrances. They have exposed stamens and feathery stigmas to facilitate pollen dispersal by wind. In contrast, animal-pollinated plants use large, colorful petals, nectar, and scents to attract pollinators. Gymnosperms, like conifers, are also wind-pollinated, producing large quantities of lightweight pollen for wind transport.

Which of the following plants is an example of a wind-pollinated plant?

• Rose

• Orchid

• Wheat

• Sunflower

What is a common feature of animal-pollinated plants?

• Large petals and sepals

• Exposed stamens

• Feathery stigmas

• Light pollen grains

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of wind-pollinated flowers?

• Feathery stigmas

• Exposed stamens

• Light pollen grains

• Large petals

Why do wind-pollinated plants often have exposed stamens?

• To allow easy access to wind currents

• To produce more nectar

• To trap pollen grains

• To attract insects

What adaptation helps wind-pollinated plants trap pollen grains?

• Feathery stigmas

• Enticing fragrances

• Sweet nectar

• Large petals

Which type of trees are almost all wind-pollinated?

• Flowering trees

• Fruit trees

• Conifer trees

• Deciduous trees

Where do the seeds of gymnosperms develop?

• On the surface of the scales of female cones

• Inside flowers

• Underground

• In fruits

What is a characteristic of pollen produced by wind-pollinated plants?

• Heavy and sticky

• Large and colorful

• Light and produced in large quantities

• Rarely produced

Which of the following is true about the pollen of wind-pollinated plants?

• It is heavy and falls quickly

• It is light and easily transported by wind

• It is sticky and attaches to animals

• It is produced in small quantities