AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cross-pollination is the most advantageous of the two types of pollination since it provides species with greater genetic diversity. Maturation of pollen and ovaries at different times and heterostyly are methods plants have developed to avoid self-pollination.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cross-pollination or xenogamy enables the fusion of two genetically distinct plant characters, belonging to the same species. Therefore, it introduces genetic recombination and variations in plants due to the fusion of gametes that are genetically distinct.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cross-pollination is a type of pollination in which pollen grains come from another plant. Cross-pollination is preferred because it brings about variation in species. Self-pollination does not bring about any variations. Variation brings new traits to the plant which may be advantageous to the plant.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the case of cross-pollination, the pollen from one flower gets deposited on a flower of a different plant. This can lead to the production of unique plant varieties as two different plants of the same species, or different species are involved. Cross-pollination often leads to more diverse genetic variation.

Detailed explanation-5: -In cross-pollinating plants, the flowers adopt various means to attract insects. In such plants, the flowers are usually large, brightly coloured with good smell. In cross-pollinating plants, the pollen grains are produced in large quantity as a lot of wastage is also involved.