What process involves pollen and egg being derived from the same plant?

• A. Cross-fertilization
• B. Hybridization
• C. Self-fertilization
• D. Cloning

Answer: (C)

Self-fertilization is the process where pollen and egg are derived from the same plant. This occurs in many flowering plants where a single plant has both male and female reproductive structures, allowing for the transfer of pollen from the anthers (male) to the stigma (female) of the same flower or to another flower on the same plant. This process is essential for plants that are hermaphroditic, as it enables them to reproduce without the need for a partner, promoting genetic continuity and stability.

Cross-fertilization would involve pollen from one plant fertilizing the egg of another, leading to genetic diversity. Hybridization typically refers to the breeding of two different species or varieties, resulting in offspring that may exhibit characteristics of both parents. Cloning, on the other hand, is a form of asexual reproduction that produces genetically identical organisms, unrelated to the fertilization process.