The evolutionary success of flowering plants can be partly attributed to the mut

Question

The evolutionary success of flowering plants can be partly attributed to the mutu- ally beneficial relationships between these species and other organisms. For example, flowers have markings that reflect ultraviolet light around the area where pollen is released and nectar (a high-energy fluid) is found. Honeybees can detect ultraviolet light. The evolutionary benefit of this relationship to the honeybees is obvious: hon- eybees get free meals when they visit the flower. What is the evolutionary benefit of this angiosperm-honeybee relationship to the plant? 5.

Explanation / Answer

Honeybees carry pollen in their body through electrostatic attration. Besides honey, pollen is the major source of food for Bees. As Bees travel from plant to plant, it looses some of its pollen held in the body onto other flowers. It leads to pollination of female flower. Such a pollination is known as cross-pollination.

Another benefit of cross-pollination is biological diversity.

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