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Marrow and forget-me-not pollen, SEM
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Marrow and forget-me-not pollen, SEM
Pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a pollen grain from a marrow plant (Cucurbita sp. left) and a forget-me-not plant (Myosotis sp. lower right). Marrow pollen is amongst the largest of any plant, whilst forget-me-not pollen is amongst the smallest. There is great variation in the size, shape and surface texture of pollen. The outer wall (exine) is highly sculpted in many plants, which may assist in dispersal. Each pollen grain contains a male gamete, which fertilises the eggs or ovules, initiating the formation of plant seeds. Magnification: x363 at 6x7cm size
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Media ID 6287109
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Comparing Comparison Exine Forget Me Not Gamete Gametes Grain Grains Large Largest Marrow Plants Pollen Reproduction Reproductive Sculpted Sculpting Sexual Size Sizes Small Smallest Spike Spikes Spiky Wall Cells
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This print showcases the intricate beauty and diversity of pollen grains. In this coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM), we are presented with a fascinating comparison between two distinct plant species: marrow and forget-me-not. The visual contrast is striking, as the large marrow pollen grain from the Cucurbita sp. dominates the left side, while the tiny forget-me-not pollen grain from Myosotis sp. occupies the lower right corner. Pollen size varies greatly among plants, and this image vividly illustrates that fact. Marrow pollen stands out for its impressive size, being amongst the largest of any plant species. On the other hand, forget-me-not pollen holds its own distinction as one of nature's smallest grains. The SEM technique allows us to appreciate not only their sizes but also their unique structures and surface textures. Many plants exhibit highly sculpted outer walls known as exine, which likely aids in dispersal mechanisms. Each individual pollen grain carries a male gamete responsible for fertilizing eggs or ovules in order to initiate seed formation within plants' reproductive cycles. With a magnification level of x363 at 6x7cm size, this photograph offers an intimate look into these remarkable cellular structures that play such crucial roles in botany and reproduction.
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