1. Flowering involves a change in gene expression in the shoot apex.

• Compare the vegetative and reproductive phases of the angiospermatophyta life cycle.

• State that flowers are produced from a shoot apical meristem.

• State two abiotic factors that may trigger flowering.

• Compare the timing of flowering in short-day plants and long-day plants.

• Outline the process by which changes in gene expression trigger flowering.

2. The switch to flowering is a response to the length of light and dark periods in many plants.

• State the role of the pigment phytochrome.

• Describe the conversions between the two forms of phytochrome.

• Describe role of phytochrome in controlling flowering in long and short day plants.

3. Success in plant reproduction depends on pollination, fertilization and seed dispersal. [Students should understand the differences between pollination, fertilization and seed dispersal but are not required to know the details of each process.]

• Define pollination, fertilization and seed dispersal.

• State the changes to the ovule and ovary that result from fertilization.

• List mechanisms of seed dispersal.

4. Most flowering plants use mutualistic relationships with pollinators in sexual reproduction.

• Define mutualism.​

• Explain an example of mutualism between a flowering plant and its pollinator.

1. Methods used to induce short-day plants to flower out of season. [Flowering in so-called short-day plants such as chrysanthemums, is stimulated by long nights rather than short days.]

• State how plants can be manipulated to force flowering out of season.

1. Drawing internal structure of seeds.

• Draw and label the structure of seeds, including:

  • Embryo root

  • Embryo shoot

  • Cotykedons

  • Testa

  • Micropyle

  • Hilum

  • State the function of the different parts of the seed. ​

2. Drawing of half-views of animal-pollinated flowers.

Draw and label an animal pollinated flower, including:

• • Nectar-secreting glands

  • Petals

  • Sepals

  • Anthers

  • Filaments

  • Carpel

  • Stigma

  • Style

  • Ovary

  • Ovule

  • State the function of the different parts of the animal-pollinated flower. ​

3. Design of experiments to test hypotheses about factors affecting germination.

• Define germination.

• Outline why water, oxygen and warmth are required for germination.

• Outline the role of gibberellin during germination.

• Write five example problem questions for experiments that could test factors affecting germination.

4. Paradigm shift-more than 85% of the world’s 250,000 species of flowering plant depend on pollinators for reproduction. This knowledge has led to protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species.

• Contrast traditional conservation efforts with newer strategies of conservation.