North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

Pollen is primarily produced in the flower's anther, which is a vital component of the plant's reproductive structures. The anther is located at the top of the stamen, which is the male part of the flower. When the flower develops, the anther contains sacs called pollen sacs where pollen grains are formed through a process called microsporogenesis. The primary function of pollen is to carry the male gametes (sperm cells) necessary for fertilization. When pollen is transferred to the stigma of a flower (the female part of the reproductive system) during pollination, it can fertilize the ovules, leading to the formation of seeds and the continuation of the plant's lifecycle. In contrast, the stigma serves as the receptive surface for pollen, the petals attract pollinators and do not produce pollen themselves, and the sepals protect the flower bud before it opens. Thus, the anther is the specific part of the flower where the essential process of pollen production occurs.