Pistil (Carpel)
Details the structure of the pistil, including stigma, style, and ovary, and its components.
What is Pistil (Carpel)?
The female reproductive part of a flower, typically consisting of stigma, style, and ovary.
Key points
- Identify and describe the three main parts of a pistil.
- Explain the function of the stigma, style, and ovary.
- Differentiate between simple and compound pistils.
- Understand the relationship between the ovary, ovules, and seed development.
Common exam trap
Confusing pistil with stamen (male reproductive part).
Definitions
- Term
Pistil
- Meaning
The female reproductive part of a flower, typically consisting of stigma, style, and ovary.
- Term
Carpel
- Meaning
A unit of the gynoecium (pistil), consisting of stigma, style, and ovary. Often used interchangeably with pistil.
- Term
Stigma
- Meaning
The receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. It is where pollen germinates.
- Term
Style
- Meaning
A stalk that connects the stigma to the ovary.
- Term
Ovary
- Meaning
The enlarged basal portion of the pistil where ovules are contained, which develops into a fruit after fertilization.
- Term
Ovule
- Meaning
The structure within the ovary that contains the female gamete and develops into a seed after fertilization.
- Term
Gynoecium
- Meaning
The collective term for all the pistils (carpels) in a flower.
Learning objectives
Identify and describe the three main parts of a pistil.
Explain the function of the stigma, style, and ovary.
Differentiate between simple and compound pistils.
Understand the relationship between the ovary, ovules, and seed development.
Prerequisites
Flower structure (parts of a flower)
Basic understanding of plant reproduction
Common mistakes
Confusing pistil with stamen (male reproductive part).
Not understanding the specific function of each part (stigma, style, ovary).
Assuming all flowers have a single carpel.
Overlooking the role of ovules within the ovary.
Keywords
Pistil
Carpel
Stigma
Style
Ovary
Ovule
Gynoecium
Pollination
Fertilization
Flower
Reproduction
Practice preview
The swollen basal part of the pistil is known as the:…
easy
Which part of the pistil is responsible for receiving pollen grains?…
easy
In a flower, the style connects the stigma to which part of the pistil?…
medium