EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -A conifer cone (in formal botanical usage: strobilus, plural strobili) is a seed-bearing organ on gymnosperm plants. It is usually woody, ovoid to globular, including scales and bracts arranged around a central axis, especially in conifers and cycads.

Detailed explanation-2: -The hard outer layer of pollens, named exine, is made of sporopollenin. It is one of the most resistant organic materials known. It can withstand high temperature and strong acids and alkali. No enzyme that degrades sporopollenin is so far known. This also helps in fossilization of pollen grains.

Detailed explanation-3: -Conifers produce two different types of cones. Describe the two types and where they are located on the tree. Male cones and female cones. Male cones grow in the lower branches, female cones grow in the upper branches where they may be fertilized by pollen blown on the wind from the male cones.

Detailed explanation-4: -Pollen “fingerprint” – number and type of pollen grains found in an area at a particular time of year.