Question

The pollination mechanism of Calotropis is referred as
A. Jaculator mechanism
B. Lever mechanism
C. Translator mechanism
D. Siphon mechanism

Answer 1

Seeds are fertilized and produced through pollination. Plants need to produce seeds to create next-generation offspring. This is achieved through pollination, where pollen grains present in the flower, are transferred from the male anther to the female stigma.

Complete answer: Calotropis is a species of flowering plants, belonging to the family Apocynaceae. These plants are indigenous to North Africa and Southern Asia. These species are often found in abandoned farmland. Calotropis produce latex and are commonly identified as milkweeds. They are often considered weeds in some parts of the world. Fibres present in these plants are called Madar. Their flowers have fragrance in them and are used in making floral tassels in Southeast Asian cultures. They are also offered to Hindu deities. According to Hindu mythology, Calotropis is considered Lord Shiva’s favorite flower.
-Jaculator Mechanism: Jaculator mechanism involves the flowering plant to jerk open into two valves proceeding with the projection or dispersion of seeds at a great speed with the help of a jaculator. The jaculator is a hook-like structure, present in the funicle of many Acanthaceae plants. Acanthaceae is a species of dicotyledonous flowering plants.
-Lever Mechanism: Some flowering plant species, such as the plant genus Salvia, have an unusual pollination mechanism. These involve the presence of a lever which facilitates the pollination process. They consist of two stamens with two thecae present on them which are separated by an elongate connective. This enables the formation of a lever mechanism. Any animal, insect, or bird that helps in the pollination process is called a pollinator. When a pollinator approaches a plant genus like Salvia, the pollen is deposited on them through a lever mechanism where the lever advances the stamen towards it. The lever returns to its original position in the stamen after the pollinator withdraws from the flowering plant.
-Translator Mechanism: Pollen grains present in the male anther form a coherent mass called the pollinium. During pollination, pollinia (a pollinium) or a pair of pollinia get attached to the pollinator, most often get entangled in the legs of the insect due to their sticky nature and are transferred from one plant to another. This mechanism is called the translator mechanism. The flowering plant, Calotropis exhibits the translator mechanism of pollination.
-Siphon Mechanism: Organisms living in freshwater and saline water belonging to the classes Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, and Gastropoda, such as octopus, squid, clams, etc. to name a few consists of an anatomical tube-like structure called the siphon. Water flows in this tube-like structure and assists in functions such as locomotion, reproduction, respiration, and feeding.
Hence, the correct answer is option C. Translator mechanism
Note: Pollination is achieved most commonly through animals, by wind, by water, insects, birds, cross-pollination, and self-pollination within closed flowers. When pollen is deposited on the stigma from the anther of the same flower, or another flower of the same plant then this is called self-pollination. The transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower of the same species is called cross-pollination.