International A Level Biology / Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction

Investigating pollen tube growth

Edexcel International A Level Biology (YBI11), chapter 8: Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction, specification point 3.13. Part of the full course.

Read the revision notes · International A Level Biology past papers

Pollen tube growth can be investigated by incubating pollen in sucrose solutions and measuring the tubes. A controlled method, calibrated graticule and suitable graph help you compare growth fairly and explain the effect of sucrose concentration.

More lessons in Mitosis, meiosis and reproduction

• The cell cycle
• The stages of mitosis
• Core practical 6: the root tip squash
• Calculating the mitotic index
• Meiosis: two divisions, four haploid cells
• Independent assortment and crossing over
• Loci and linked genes
• Sperm and egg: specialised gametes
• Fertilisation in mammals
• Fertilisation in flowering plants