Question Video: Recalling the Reproductive Cells Found in the Anther Biology

Video Transcript

What reproductive cells are contained within the sacs of an anther? (A) Ovules, (B) pollen, (C) endospores, or (D) buds.

Flowering plants, which are scientifically called angiosperms, often contain both male and female reproductive organs and so tend to have many reproductive cells, both male and female. This question is asking us to work out which reproductive cells are contained within the sacs of an anther. So, to work this out, let’s explore some of the different structures that can be found in a flower.

Reproductive cells are otherwise known as sex cells or gametes. The female reproductive organs of a flower include an ovary, which contains one or more ovules. Each ovule tends to contain one egg cell, otherwise known as an ovum, which is the female gamete of an angiosperm. The anthers are the part of the male reproductive organs of a flower that produce the male gametes. So let’s take a closer look at one anther so we can see the sacs that are described in the question. Each anther contains pollen sacs, which are responsible for producing and releasing pollen grains. The pollen grains contain the male gamete, which is commonly known as pollen.

Now we have enough information to answer our question correctly. The reproductive cell contained within the sacs of an anther is pollen.