Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38
Debra Mauzy-Melitz
Abstract
In nature, pollen germination occurs on the stigma of a flower and the pollen tube elongates towards the flower's ovule. Pollen germination and elongation is a dynamic process during which pollen must respond to different signals and develop a complex structure to deliver sperm cells for fertilization. Pollen germination can be easily visualized using an in vitro setup and a compound microscope. Students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different in vitro assay methods, test multiple flower species, modify basic germination media and design an experiment related to pollen germination that integrates evolution and cell biology.
Keywords: scientific method, pollen, pollen germination, in vitro assay
