Style

Definition

The style is a slender stalk in the pistil of a flower that connects the stigma to the ovary. It plays a crucial role in the fertilization process by providing a pathway for pollen tubes to reach the ovary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The style is part of the female reproductive structure in flowers known as the pistil.
2. It functions as a conduit for pollen tubes to travel from the stigma to the ovary.
3. Styles can vary in length and shape depending on the species of plant.
4. A longer style can sometimes help reduce self-pollination, promoting cross-pollination instead.
5. In some plants, multiple styles can be present if there are multiple carpels.

Review Questions

Related terms

Stigma: The part of the pistil where pollen lands and germinates.

Ovary:

The part of the pistil that contains ovules and develops into fruit after fertilization.

Pollen Tube: A tube that forms after pollen germinates and grows through the style to deliver sperm cells to an ovule.