What is pollination?

What is pollination ? How does it occur in plants ? How does pollination lead to fertilization ? Explain.

(a) The transfer of pollen from the stamen to the stigma is known as pollination.
(b) If this transfer of pollen occurs in the same flower, it is referred to as self-pollination, whereas if the pollen is transferred from one flower to another, it is known as cross-pollination. This transfer is carried out by different agencies like wind, water, insects or animals.
© Fertilization: A tube grows out of pollen grain and travels through the style to reach the female germ cells present in ovule in the ovary. Out of two male gametes present in pollen tube one fuses with egg to form zygote. This fusion is called fertilization. After fertilization, the zygote divides several times to form an embryo within the ovule. The ovule develops a tough coat and gradually turns into a seed. The ovary grows rapidly and ripens to form a fruit. Meanwhile the petals, sepals, stamens, style and stigma may shrivel and fall off.