(a) Describe how the floral parts of a named flower are adapted to wind-pollination.
(b) Explain how each of the following behaviours in animals affects the reproduction process: (i) territoriality. (ii) display; (iii) seasonal migration.
Explanation
(a) Adaptation of the floral parts of named flower Maize (Zea mays) to wind pollination:
Flowers produce a large number of light, smooth and powdery pollen grains.
They are borne in large inflorescence but are small and inconspicuous.
Stigma are large and feathery and they hang outside the flower.
This ensures a large surface area for pollination and increases the chances of trapping pollen grains in the air.
They possess long style which makes the feathery stigma conspicuous.
Anthers are large and loosely attached to long filaments.
They hang out of the flower, exposing themselves to the wind.
These characteristics facilitate the dispersal of pollen grains.
The flower is usually dull in colour.
(b)(i)Territoriality; is defined as the ability of various species of animals to display a well developed social hierarchy in which the most senior or powerful or the largest in number occupies a dominant position. In this dispensation, some males that are weak may not be able to mate, hence there is reduction in population and the offsprings within a particular territory are able to have enough food to eat. When mating is controlled, the animals may go into extinction and there will be increase in the chances of having mates among the animals.
(ii) Display; is a situation where animals use certain behaviour in order to attract the opposite sex. This includes all sorts of movements ranging from flashing of colour, dancing, nodding, strutting, plumage display, etc. These behaviours lead to courtship which precedes mating.
(iii) Seasonal migration; is the movement of animals carried out at certain time of the year or regularly for some reasons, e.g. breeding, in search of food, avoiding dry sphere, etc. Fishes migrate upstream into their territories for breeding. This prevents the bigger fishes from eating the young ones. Migration leads to population control because many birds may meet adverse environmental condition and die before returning to their place of origin. It also leads to reduction in the number of predators due to migration when their prey are no longer there. The preys multiply fast in number when they return due to the absence of their predators or enemies.
