The way we created these trees was based upon out predictions having to do with the size/shape of our flowers. The gypsophilia is a much smaller flower then the alstromeria and iris. The petals for the altromeria and iris were much bigger and more vibrant then those of the gypsophilia, therefore, we predicted they would have bigger pollen inside of them, which they did. The pollen for the gypsophilia was much smaller.
Our prediction about the pollen was inaccurate after creating this pollen-based tree and our actual scientific tree.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
How does color and structure differentiation determine the pollen morphology?
Hypothesis:
Based upon the color of the flower, our hypothesis is that when the flower displays vibrant colors there may be more/larger pollen. Whereas, with dull-colored flowers, not as much pollen needs to be produced (less attractive).
Structure wise, larger petaled flowers may also have more.larger pollen because, they are less exposed. Smaller petaled flowers may have less pollen because, they are exposed more.
Background:
- "The pollen grain is the male gametophyte in gymnosperms and angiosperms, i.e. the structure that produces the male gametes and transfers them to the female part. The grains derive from the meiotic process of the pollen mother cells and at maturity usually consist of a bi or trinucleate cell surrounded by a wall that has the important function of protecting the microgamethophyte in its journey between male and female flowers. The pollen grain wall is very resistant to water loss and environmental injuries, primarily to avoid damage and desiccation during the aerial journey."
- " Most pollen grains possess apertures, generally thin or missing parts of the exine through which the pollen tube emerges at germination on a compatible stigma. There are two main shape types of apertures and they are named pori (pores) and colpi (furrows). Colpi are thought to be more primitive than pori and are elongate, furrow-like, with pointed ends: the ratio between the longitudinal and cross diameter is more than two. Pori are generally isodiametric or slightly elongated with rounded ends."
- Our readings have introduced us to the concept of pollen reproduction and how exactly pollen reproduces in a successful manner. On top of that, we have looked into just what a pollen aperture is, and its function in pollen.
Procedure
This is a picture of the Gypsophila dissected in half to show the Ovule and Overy. 
This is an Alstromeria anther and partial filament with pollen 
You can see the pollen on the Anther. The anther is the part of the flower that produces the pollen, hence why you can find it in such large amounts.
A shot of our stub under the Leica digital stereo microscope.
This is a picture of a pollen we found in between two of our sampled pollens. We can tell its not one of the Samples from the color and shape difference.
62.8 micrometers.
Purple Iris at magnification 16800x, pore measurement is 1.5 μm
Pollen Morphology Phylogenetic Tree Hypothesis
Scientific Phylogenetic Trees
Analysis of Phylogenic Trees:
The hypothesis for our phylogenic tree and the actual scientific phylogenic tree the we observed focusing on the correlation between color/structure and pollen morphology turned out to actually not match up. We initially assumed that the Alstroemeria and the Purple Iris were more closely related to each other than they were to Gypsophila because their petals/pollen were both larger than that of the Gypsophila and also they were both considerably more vibrantly colored than the drab white Gypsophila was.
But as it turns out our hypothesis was wrong and the Alstroemeria and the Gypsophila share a more common ancestor than the Alstroemeria and the Purple Iris do.
As a group we came to the decision that this conclusion seems considerably more plausible because as we learned from the Evolution and Systematics seminar, anatomical homologies are not a good indicator of how closely related somethings are to one and another and a recent common ancestor is a much more reliable source than basing our decision off of the physical shape, size, and overall look of a plant.
| In italics, genus uppercase, species lowercase | Length? Width? Both? | http://www.botany.unibe.ch/paleo/pollen_e/apertures.htm | http://www.botany.unibe.ch/paleo/pollen_e/apertures.htm | |
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Pollen size (μm) | Pollen Type | Number of Apertures |
| Iris | Iris albertii | 62.8 (L) | Monocolpate | 1 |
| Alstroemeria | Alstroemeria andina | 102 (L) | Monocolpate | 1 |
| Gypsophilia | Gypsophila paniculata | 64.7 (L) | Monocolpate | 1 |
Surface Texture | ||||
| Iris | Reticulate | |||
| Alstroemeria | Foveolate | |||
| Gypsophilia | Fossulate | |||
Experimental Question Analysis
Based on the pollen morphology of purple iris, gypsophila and alstroemeria, The bigger the petal of the plant, the bigger the pollen was. Gypsophila had the smallest petal and overall is the smallest flower out of the three. We think this played a part in it having the smallest pollen. Gypsophila was also the least vibrant (color wise), so it had the least amount of pollen on the sample.
Team Agreement
Savannah Turner-Operator of the SEM machine, wrote hypothesis, made pollen data table, helped with criteria experimental analysis.
Elliot Coates-Photographer, filled out google form at station eight, did the question, background, criteria experimental question analysis, phylogenetic tree based on pollen morphology, phylogenetic tree based on protein sequences, analysis of phylogenetic trees.
Kieran Moran-Organizer, Procedure, Criteria-experimental question analysis, phylogenetic tree based on pollen morphology, phylogenetic tree based on protein sequences, analysis of phylogenetic trees.
Zoe Boyd-Recorder, collected measurements for pollen and pollen spores, team agreement, images, criteria-experimental question analysis.
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