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Pollen from the pot marigold
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Pollen from the pot marigold
False-colour scanning electron micrograph of pollen grains of the pot marigold Calendula officinalis. The surface of the pollen grains are covered with tiny barbs, which secure them to the body of an insect for transportation and subsequently to the surface of the stigma at the start of fertilization. One of the furrows, visible here along the length of the lower grain, will produce a slender tube, called a pollen tube, which will grow down to the ovary. Inside the pollen tube, two sperms follow its growth. When the egg is reached, the tube bursts, releasing the sperm, one of which will fertilise the egg. Magnification: x700 at 6x4.5cm size
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Media ID 6288699
© DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Calendula Officinalis Pollen Re Production Reproductive Type
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This print showcases the intricate world of pollen from the pot marigold, Calendula officinalis. In this false-colour scanning electron micrograph, we are granted a close-up view of the pollen grains adorned with minuscule barbs that serve as nature's ingenious transportation mechanism. These barbs ensure secure attachment to insects' bodies, facilitating their journey from flower to flower. As we delve deeper into this mesmerizing image, our attention is drawn to one particular grain exhibiting a furrow along its length. This furrow holds great significance as it will give rise to a slender tube known as a pollen tube. The growth of this remarkable structure extends down towards the ovary while carrying two sperms within it. The ultimate purpose of this elaborate process becomes apparent when the egg is finally reached by the pollen tube. At this critical moment, the tube bursts open and releases one sperm which successfully fertilizes the awaiting egg. Magnified 700 times at a size of 6x4.5cm, this photograph encapsulates not only the beauty but also highlights nature's ingenuity in plant reproduction. It serves as an awe-inspiring reminder that even in seemingly small and delicate organisms like plants, life unfolds through extraordinary mechanisms designed for survival and perpetuation.
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