# Explain why cross-pollination produces greater genetic diversity in a plant species than self-pollination.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Cross-pollination involves pollen being transferred from an anther of one plant to the stigma of a different plant
2. The male gamete nucleus from the pollen of one plant fuses with the female gamete nucleus in the ovule of a different plant during fertilisation
3. This means the offspring receive genetic material / chromosomes from two genetically different parents
4. Self-pollination uses gametes from the same plant so offspring are genetically identical / less variation; whereas cross-pollination produces genetically different / varied offspring

## Key terms

- [cross-pollination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cross-pollination)
- [self-pollination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/self-pollination)
- [genetic diversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetic-diversity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-cross-pollination-produces-greater-genetic-516f7446) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.