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Read About Pollination and Seed Dispersal

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scientist kids pose as pollinators
POLLINATION & SEED DISPERSAL DEFINITION

Pollination and seed dispersal are processes that plants rely on to make new plants. Animals, wind and water can all help plants move their pollen and seeds around.

To better understand how pollination and seed dispersal works…

POLLINATION & SEED DISPERSAL DEFINITION. Pollination and seed dispersal are processes that plants rely on to make new plants. Animals, wind and water can all help plants move their pollen and seeds around. To better understand how pollination and seed dispersal works…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Pollen is a powder found inside flowers.

finger points out pollen inside of flowers

Plants need help from animals to move pollen from one plant to another. An animal that moves pollen from one place to another is called a pollinator.

Pollen is a powder found inside flowers. Plants need help from animals to move pollen from one plant to another. An animal that moves pollen from one place to another is called a pollinator.
finger points out pollen inside of flowers

Bees help to move pollen from one plant to another.

pink flowers on a free branch

When a bee drinks nectar from one flower, pollen sticks to its legs and body. When the bee flies to a new plant, some of the pollen rubs off on the new flower.

Bees help to move pollen from one plant to another. When a bee drinks nectar from one flower, pollen sticks to its legs and body. When the bee flies to a new plant, some of the pollen rubs off on the new flower.
pink flowers on a free branch

Wind helps move seeds from one place to another.

dandelion seeds are dispersed in the wind

Moving seeds around is called dispersal. When you blow on a dandelion you are helping to disperse the dandelion seeds. This usually happens with the help of wind.

Wind helps move seeds from one place to another. Moving seeds around is called dispersal. When you blow on a dandelion you are helping to disperse the dandelion seeds. This usually happens with the help of wind.
dandelion seeds are dispersed in the wind

Another way seeds move is with help from animals.

bear eats berries in the forest

Animals often eat fruits and seeds. They then move to a new area where they poop out the seeds. New plants grow from the seeds! The poop is like fertilizer.

Another way seeds move is with help from animals. Animals often eat fruits and seeds. They then move to a new area where they poop out the seeds. New plants grow from the seeds! The poop is like fertilizer.
bear eats berries in the forest

Some seeds look a lot like Velcro.

seeds of the cockle bur plant which can stick to animal fur

Some seeds have tiny hooks that help them stick to the fur of animals. Animals such as dogs or sheep can then move to a new place where the seeds fall off and grow.

Some seeds look a lot like Velcro. Some seeds have tiny hooks that help them stick to the fur of animals. Animals such as dogs or sheep can then move to a new place where the seeds fall off and grow.
seeds of the cockle bur plant which can stick to animal fur

POLLINATION & SEED DISPERSAL VOCABULARY

Pollen
A powder found inside flowers that is needed to make new plants.
Pollination
The process of moving pollen from one flower to another.
Pollinator
Any animal that moves pollen from one plant to another.
Disperse
To spread around.
Seed
The part of a plant that can grow into new plants.
Seed dispersal
The process of moving seeds from one place to another.
The part of a plant that contains the seeds.
A substance that helps plants grow by giving it extra nutrients.

POLLINATION & SEED DISPERSAL QUESTIONS

How does a bee help move pollen?

Pollen sticks to the bee while it drinks nectar and when the bee travels to another plant to drink more nectar, some of the pollen rubs off.

How does animal fur help move a seed from one place to another?

Some seeds stick to the animal’s fur. When the animal moves to another area, the seeds could fall off when the animal scratches or rubs against something.

What are some examples of pollinators?

Bees, birds and butterflies. Anything that moves pollen from one place to another is a pollinator.

Why might seeds not grow if they fall right next to the tree?

It may not get enough sunlight since other plants and the parent tree might be blocking the light. There might also be roots growing in that spot and using up most of the water in that spot.

How are some seeds like Velcro?

They have structures that have hooks that stick to other materials, like a dog’s fur.

What’s one way that a maple seed moves from one place to another?

It looks like a propeller and glides down slowly as it falls. If it is windy, it can travel far away from the parent tree.
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