How does cross-pollination differ from self-pollination?

Cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from one plant to another, while self-pollination occurs within the same plant.

Cross-pollination, also known as allogamy, is a process where pollen is transferred from the anther (male part) of one plant to the stigma (female part) of another plant. This process is facilitated by various agents such as wind, water, and animals, particularly insects. Cross-pollination promotes genetic diversity, as the offspring produced are a genetic mix of two different plants. This diversity can lead to increased resilience in a population, as it may enhance the ability of the plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

On the other hand, self-pollination, or autogamy, is a process where the pollen from the anther of a flower is transferred to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. This can occur without any external agents and is common in plants that have flowers with both male and female parts. Self-pollination ensures reproduction in the absence of pollinators or other plants of the same species. However, it does not promote genetic diversity as the offspring are essentially clones of the parent plant.

In summary, the key difference between cross-pollination and self-pollination lies in the source of the pollen. Cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen between different plants, promoting genetic diversity, while self-pollination involves the transfer of pollen within the same plant, ensuring reproduction but limiting genetic diversity.