Explain why pollination alone does not result in the production of a new plant.

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 3.1 Reproduction · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Pollination is an important stage in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. However, pollination is not the final step required before a new plant can develop.

Model answer (4 marks)

Pollination is only the transfer of pollen grains from the male part to the female part of a plant.
Fertilisation must also occur – the pollen grain must travel to the ovule and the sperm nuclei must fuse with the egg nucleus.
Fertilisation is the fusion of the male and female gamete nuclei.
The resulting zygote develops into an embryo, which will grow into a new plant.

Examiner tips

Use the exact terms ‘pollination’, ‘fertilisation’, ‘zygote’, ‘embryo’.
Show the sequence: transfer → fertilisation → zygote → embryo.
Keep the answer concise – 4 points, one sentence each.

Common mistakes

Confusing pollination with fertilisation, or vice‑versa.
Omitting the step that the pollen must reach the ovule.
Using the wrong spelling (fertilisation vs fertilization).

Mark scheme (4 marks)

Pollination is only the transfer of pollen grains from the male part to the female part of a plant
Fertilisation must also occur / pollen must travel to the ovule for fertilisation
Fertilisation is the fusion of the nucleus of the male and female gametes
Fertilisation produces a zygote / fertilised egg which develops into an embryo / new plant

Key terms in this question

pollination