Pollination
- Pronunciation
- /pol-uh-NAY-shun/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Pollination
- Plural
- Pollinations
Definition
The transfer of pollen from the male structures (anthers) of flowers to the female structures (stigmas) of flowers, facilitating fertilization.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'pollinatio', from 'pollen', meaning 'fine flour' or 'dust'.
Example
Bees play a crucial role in the pollination of many flowering plants, which is essential for the production of fruits and seeds.
Synonyms
- Fertilization
- Cross-pollination
Related Terms
- Pollen
- Stigma
- Anther
- Pollinator
Usage Notes
Pollination can occur via biotic vectors like insects (entomophily) or abiotic vectors like wind (anemophily) and water (hydrophily).