QUESTION: How do seedless plants reproduce? ANSWER: Scientists estimate that there are approximately 400,000 species of plants on Earth. It is no surprise that there are many forms of plant ...

Understanding the Context

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A study out of Harvard and Purdue universities is starting to unravel the genetic mechanisms that allow some plants to duplicate their entire genomes and continue to reproduce. Most plants can reproduce both sexually (through flowers and seed) but many important crops, such as potatoes and strawberry, are propagated vegetatively, e.g. through tubers or shoots.

Key Insights

A new study of ... Sex in the garden is more straightforward for the birds and the bees than it’s for the plants. Reproductive processes vary among flowering plants; for many, there is more than one option. When ... For the first time, a team of researchers has identified a small RNA species and its target gene that together regulate female germline formation in plants -- crucial knowledge for manipulating plant ...

Final Thoughts

EurekAlert!: Study on the evolution of plant reproduction receives 2.6 million euros Researchers have identified a genetic sequence that is essential for plant reproduction. As this region is found in all plant species, it is expected to contribute to future crossbreeding initiatives ... ucdavis.edu: Plants Balance Adaptability in Skin Cells with Stability in Sex Cells