FATIMA PUBLIC SCHOOL

(Senior secondary)
Affiliated to CBSE No: 930891

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-25

PROJECT REPORT ON
TYPES OF POLLINATIONS

NAME : ABHINANDH S.S.

CLASS : XII A
SUBJECT : BIOLOGY

PROJECT GUIDE:
MRS. SREEDEVI
MRS. LALI

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 FATIMA PUBLIC SCHOOL

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Master/Miss. has

successfully completed the project work entitled " TYPES OF
POLLINATIONS.” in the subject BIOLOGY (044) laid down in the
regulations of CBSE for the purpose of Senior Secondary
Assessment Examination during the academic year 2024-2025 in
Class XII.

Teacher in Charge Principal

Practical Examiner School Seal

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Apart from my efforts, the success of any project depends largely on

the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this
opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who have been
instrumental in the successful completion of this project.
I express a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty for giving me strength
for the successful completion of the project.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents for their constant
encouragement while carrying out this project.
I express my deep sense of gratitude to the luminary, Dr.Shaniya John,
the Principal who has been continuously motivating and extending her
helping hand to me.
I express my sincere thanks to the Vice Principal Mrs. Lekshmi V, for
the guidance provided during this project.
I am overwhelmed to express my thanks to The Chief Administrator
Mr. Rajendra Babu for providing me with infrastructure and moral
support while carrying out this project.
My sincere thanks to Mrs. Sreedevi and Mrs. Lali , who critically
reviewed my project and helped in solving every problem, occurred
during implementation of the project.
The guidance and support received from all the group members were
vital for the success of the project. I am grateful for their constant
support and help.

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 INDEX
• Aim
• Introduction
• Types of Pollinations
• Agents of Pollinations
• Adaptations for Pollination
• Significance of Pollination
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

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 AIM

• To study the process of pollination and its different

types.

• To understand the significance of pollination in plant

reproduction.

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 INTRODUCTION
Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a
flower to the female stigma. The goal of every living organism, including
plants, is to create offspring for the next generation. One of the ways that
plants can produce offspring is by making seeds. Seeds contain the genetic
information to produce a new plant.
Flowers are the tools that plants use to make their seeds. The basic parts of
the flower are shown in the diagram below.
Seeds can only be produced when pollen is transferred between flowers of
the same species. A species is defined a population of individuals capable of
interbreeding freely with one another but because of geographic,
reproductive, or other barriers, they do not interbreed with members of
other species.

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 TYPES OF POLLINATIONS
1. Self-Pollination (Autogamy)
Self-pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from the anther to
the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. It is
common in plants with bisexual flowers.

Features
• Takes place within the same flower or plant.
• Does not depend on external agents (insects, wind, etc.).
• Less genetic variation compared to cross-pollination.
• Common in plants that grow in isolated areas or have fewer pollinators.

Types of Self-Pollination
• Autogamy: Pollen from the anther is transferred to the stigma of the
same flower.
• Geitonogamy: Pollen is transferred between different flowers on the
same plant.

• Examples: Pea plants, wheat, rice.

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 2. Cross Pollination (Allogamy)
Cross-pollination occurs when pollen from the anther of one flower is
transferred to the stigma of a different flower on another plant of the same
species.

• Features:
• Involves the exchange of pollen between different plants.
• Promotes genetic diversity, which helps plants adapt to changing
environments.
• Depends on external pollinating agents.

• Examples: Apples, sunflowers, cucumbers.

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 AGENTS OF POLLINATION
As pollen cannot transfer itself, pollinating agents play an important role.
Some of the agents of pollination are birds or insects that carry pollen from
one plant to another. These agents are also known as pollinators. The factors
causing pollination can be divided into two types: abiotic or non-living
agents and biotic or living agents.

1. Abiotic Agents (Non-living):

• Wind Pollination (Anemophily):
o Pollen is carried by the wind to the stigma of another flower.
o Common in plants with light, dry, and small pollen grains.
o These plants produce a large amount of pollen to compensate for
the inefficiency of wind as a pollination agent.
o Flowers are typically small, inconspicuous, and lack bright colors,
fragrance, and nectar, as there is no need to attract pollinators.
o Examples: Maize, grasses, wheat, pines.

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• Water Pollination (Hydrophily):

o Pollen is transferred through water, common in aquatic plants.

o Pollination occurs on the surface of water. Pollen floats and reaches
the stigma of flowers that bloom on or near the water’s surface.
o Flowers and pollen have water-resistant coatings to protect them
from water damage.
o Examples: Vallisneria, Hydrilla.

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2. Biotic Agents (Living):
• Insect Pollination (Entomophily):
o Pollination occurs with the help of insects like bees, butterflies,
and beetles.
o Plants attract insects with brightly colored flowers and sweet
nectar.
o Flowers are often brightly colored, fragrant, and may produce
nectar to attract insects.
o Pollination precision ensures fewer pollen grains are wasted
compared to wind or water pollination.
o Examples: Roses, sunflowers, orchids.

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• Bird Pollination (Ornithophily):
o Birds, particularly hummingbirds and sunbirds, help in pollinating
flowers.
o The nectar is often produced deep within the flower, requiring the
bird to insert its beak, which facilitates pollen transfer.
o Flowers are often tubular and brightly colored to attract birds.
o The flowers are often large or grow in clusters, making them
easily visible to birds.
o Examples: Hibiscus, fuchsia.

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• Bat Pollination (Chiropterophily):
o Bats pollinate flowers that bloom at night and have strong
fragrances.
o Bat pollination is most common in tropical and subtropical
regions, especially in forests, deserts, and savannas.
o The structure of bat-pollinated flowers allows easy access for
bats, with sturdy parts to support their visits.
o Examples: Baobab tree, agave.

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• Mammal Pollination:
o Small mammals like rodents and marsupials pollinate certain
flowers.
o Plants have evolved specific traits to cater to their mammal
pollinators, such as sturdy flower structures that can withstand
the weight and activity of larger animals.
o Examples: Some Protea species.

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 ADAPTATIONS OF POLLINATION
Flowers need to be pollinated. Pollination is the process of moving the pollen
grain from the anther of a stamen to the stigma of a carpel. There are a few
flowers that can self-pollinate all on their own, but this limits them to
inbreeding. Most species rely upon some kind of pollination vector to
accomplish pollination. The vector can be any agent that can move pollen
from anther to stigma. There is evidence of water and wind as the
pollination vector in certain species, but many species do not depend upon
the random or downstream-only pollination pathways offered by these
vectors. Indeed such vectors are only useful in situations where large
populations of a very limited number of species are present.

1. For Self-Pollination:
• Cleistogamy: Flowers that never open and ensure self-pollination (e.g.,
Viola).
• Self-Compatible Mechanisms: Many self-pollinating plants have
developed self-compatible mechanisms that allow pollen from the
same flower or plant to fertilize the ovules. This adaptation ensures
successful reproduction even in the absence of pollinators.
• Self-pollinating flowers are often less showy than cross-pollinating
flowers. They may lack bright colors, strong scents, or nectar, as these
traits are typically associated with attracting pollinators. By reducing
these features, plants can conserve energy and resources.
• Reduced pollen production since no external agent is required.

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2. For Cross-Pollination:
o Large quantities of light, dry pollen.
o Flowers are inconspicuous without scent or nectar (e.g., grasses).
o Pollen grains in cross-pollinated plants may be designed to stick
to the bodies of visiting pollinators, ensuring effective transfer to
the stigma of another flower. This adaptation increases the
chances of successful fertilization.
o Many plants produce flowers in clusters, increasing visibility and
attracting more pollinators. The proximity of multiple flowers
enhances the chances of pollen transfer between them.
o Brightly colored petals, nectar guides, and scent to attract insects.
o Sticky or spiny pollen to adhere to the pollinator's body.

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF POLLINATION
Pollination is not just fascinating natural history. It is an essential
ecological survival function. Without pollinators, the human race and all of
earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive. Of the 1,400 crop plants
grown around the world, i.e., those that produce all of our food and plant-
based industrial products, almost 80% require pollination by animals. Visits
from bees and other pollinators also result in larger, more flavorful fruits
and higher crop yields. In the United States alone, pollination of agricultural
crops is valued at 10 billion dollars annually. Globally, pollination services
are likely worth more than 3 trillion dollars.

• More than half of the world’s diet of fats and oils come from animal-
pollinated plants (oil palm, canola, sunflowers, etc.).
• More than 150 food crops in the U.S. depend on pollinators, including
almost all fruit and grain crops.
• The USDA estimated that crops dependent on pollination are worth
more than $10 billion per year.

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 CONCLUSION
Pollination is a crucial natural process that enables plants to reproduce and
maintain ecological balance. It occurs through self-pollination and cross-
pollination, both of which play vital roles in the plant life cycle. Self-
pollination is efficient and reliable, allowing plants to reproduce in the
absence of external pollinators, though it limits genetic diversity. In contrast,
cross-pollination, which involves the transfer of pollen between different
plants through agents like wind, water, insects, and animals, increases
genetic diversity and enhances plant resilience.

Cross-pollination, especially through biotic agents like insects and birds, is

vital for many agricultural crops, contributing to food production and
ecosystem health. The role of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds,
is not only essential for biodiversity but also for human survival, as they
ensure the growth of crops and the continuation of natural plant
communities.

In conclusion, understanding the types of pollination and their mechanisms

underscores the interconnectedness of natural systems and highlights the
importance of conserving pollinators to ensure sustainable agriculture and
biodiversity.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. NCERT Textbook for Class 12 – Biology

2. Raven, P.H., Evert, R.F., & Eichhorn, S.E. (2012).
3. Grimaldi, D., & Engel, M.S. (2005).
4. Botanical resources and websites related to plant biology and reproduction.
5. Research papers on the importance of pollinators in agriculture.

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