Oil seed rape pollen grains (Brassica napus) Science Image

Ref: 80015531f



Rape pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from a flower of the oil seed rape plant, Brassica napus. Pollen contains the male genetic information of a plant. Pollen is carried by insects, the wind (in this case) or water to other plants and some land on the female parts of a flower. Once on the stigma, it sends a pollen tube through to the ovaries, allowing a male cell to fertilise an egg (ovum) and form a seed. Magnification: x480 at 5x7cm size.