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What is the Purpose of Flowers?

Answer – The purpose of flowers is to act as reproductive organs for the plant.

Explanation:

Flowers are the sites of sexual reproduction in plants. They hold the male and female gametes as well as the structures that facilitate their union, and provide the space for the growth of the seed. 

The female reproductive organ in flowers is the pistil. It can be divided into ovary, style and stigma. The ovary is at the base of the flower, and is bulb-like, containing the female gametes called ovules. The style is a tube rising from the ovary, ending in the stigma which is often sticky.

The male reproductive organ is the stamen. It is divided into anther and filament. The filament is a tube that holds the anther up in the air. The anther is a flat structure bearing pollen. Within the pollen are the male gametes. 

In order for reproduction to take place, the ovules must be fertilized by the male gametes in the pollen. This can happen when the pollen comes in contact with the sticky stigma. From here, the male gametes are guided to the ovary and ovules through the style. The fertilization results in a seed that can grow into a plant.

Flowers can be of two types – complete and incomplete. Complete flowers have both, male and female parts, while incomplete flowers have one or the other. If the flower is complete and self-pollinated, it needs no external agent to ensure pollination. 

On the other hand, if the flower requires cross-pollination, agents such as wind, water and creatures such as birds and bees are instrumental. In the case of flowers pollinated by other creatures, they are likely to be bright and colorful, and/or contain nectar glands in order to attract these pollinators.


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