Definition

1. Noun:
   • The fine, powdery substance produced by the male part of a flower: "Pollen" consists of microscopic grains that contain the male reproductive cells (gametes) of seed plants. Its primary function is to fertilize the female ovule, leading to seed production.

Usage

• "Pollen" is a mass noun (uncountable). It refers to the collective grains.
• It is typically discussed in contexts of plant biology, reproduction, allergies, and ecology.
• Example: (This describes the substance being gathered.)

Examples

• Noun:
  • Spring brings high levels of tree pollen into the air.
  • Under a microscope, you can see the intricate shapes of different pollen grains.
  • His hay fever is triggered by grass pollen.

Advanced Usage

• "Pollen count": A measurement of the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air, often used in weather and health reports.
  • The pollen count is very high today, so I need to take my allergy medication.
• "Pollen grain": Refers to a single, individual unit of pollen.
  • Each pollen grain has a tough outer wall for protection.

Variants and Related Words

• Pollinate (verb): To transfer pollen from a male structure to a female structure.
  • Bees help pollinate many of our food crops.
• Pollination (noun): The process of transferring pollen.
  • Cross-pollination can create hybrid plants.
• Pollinator (noun): An agent (e.g., bee, bird, wind) that carries pollen.
  • Butterflies are important pollinators.

Synonyms

• Microspores (technical/biological term for pollen grains in their developmental stage).
• Plant dust (informal, non-technical).

Related Phrases

• "Pollen tube": A tube that grows from a pollen grain down into the ovule, allowing the male gametes to reach the egg cell.
  • Fertilization occurs after the pollen tube reaches the ovule.
• "Pollen sac": The part of the stamen (anther) where pollen is produced.
  • The anther contains four pollen sacs.

Idioms

Noun

1. the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant