Sarah Izhar Content Writer
Content Writer
The terms adnate and connate are related to the fusion of plant organs. The process where two non-similar parts of a plant fuse together is called adnation, while the fusion of similar parts of a plant is called connotation.
Figure: Parts of a Flower
What is Adnate?
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Adnate are the different parts of a plant that fuse together and the process of fusion of adnate parts is called adnation.
- An example of adnation is the fusion of the stamen (male part of the flower) with the petals.
- In Lamiaceae (mint family) and Primula (primrose), the stamens are adnate to the petals.
What is Connate?
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Connates are the similar parts of a plant that fuse together and the process of fusion of connate parts is called connotation.
- An example of connotation is the fusion petals called sympetalous.
- In lavender, the fusion of petals takes place and is sympetalous in nature.
Differences between Adnate and Connate
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Adnate and connate differ in the type of origin, nature of attachment, fusion type, etc. The differences between adnate and connate is given in the table below:
| Parameters | Adnate | Connate |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Dissimilar parts of plants that fuse together. | Similar parts of plant fuse together. |
| Fusion type | Fusion between parts of the same whorl. | Fusion between parts of the same whorl. |
| Boundary | Fusion takes place without separation. | Structures are fused with a clear boundary. |
| Examples | Stamens adnate to petals (Primrose). | Fusion of individual petals (Lavender). |
Things to Remember
- The main difference between adnate and cognate is in their nature of fusion.
- The arrangement of petals, stamens, and leaves is called whorls.
- In sympetalous flowers, the petals fuse to form a tubular structure.
- Grasses and orchids are also an example of adnate structures.
- These structures help in the classification of plants.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the role of adnate and connate? (2 marks)
Ans. The following are the functions of adnate and connate:
- Adnate helps in maintaining the mechanical stability of plants.
- Connate helps in pollination and the development of plants.
Ques. What is the function of the tubular structure in connate? (2 marks)
Ans. The tubular structure is formed by the fusion of petals.
- This structure helps the pollinators to directly reach the nectar and pollen resulting in effective pollination.
- It also acts as a protective covering for reproductive organs and also saves from predators and stresses.
Ques. What is the term used for the fusion of anther? (1 mark)
Ans. The term used for the fusion of anther is called syngenesious.
In this condition, the stamen (male part of a flower) fuses to form a tubular structure.
Ques. What do you mean by a perfect and an imperfect flower? (2 marks)
Ans. A perfect flower has both male and female reproductive parts. Examples of perfect flowers are roses, lilies, etc.
An imperfect flower lacks either one reproductive part. Examples of imperfect flowers are corn, walnut trees, etc.
Ques. What is a receptacle? Mention its functions. (2 marks)
Ans. A receptacle is a part of a flower that is present at the end of the stem.
- Receptacles carry the nectar and pollen for the germination of pollen grains.
- Pollen grains are stored and released from the receptacles.
- It is that part that leads to the flower.
Ques. Mention any two applications of adnation and connotation. (2 marks)
Ans. The following are the applications of adnation and connotation:
- It is used in selecting species for specific purposes by identifying the adnate and connate parts of a plant.
- Connate parts are moist and are susceptible to spoilage, therefore knowledge of this can help in disease management.
Ques. Are adnate and connate features in a plant help in breeding? (1 mark)
Ans. Yes, adnate and connate features play an essential role in breeding.
They help in developing new varieties with desirable traits.
Ques. Are adnate and connate characteristics found in all plants? (2 marks)
Ans. No, adnate and connate characteristics are found in some plants.
Plants like lavender, petunias, and morning glories have connate features.
In mint and primrose plants, adnate features are present.
Ques. How can one differentiate adnate and connate parts in a plant or flower? (2 marks)
Ans. It is quite difficult to distinguish them from each other but researchers have come up with the following ways:
- Using a microscope to scrutinize the fine parts.
- Determination of plant’s genetic structure.
- Employment of sophisticated imaging methods.
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