Question

Amritya suffers from running nose, fever and bronchitis every year during late summer and autumn. What is the reason behind it? What should you suggest to him and others with a similar problem?

Answer 1

Hint: Male reproductive systems in flowers are composed of individual units called stamens. Stamen has three parts, namely filament, anther, and connective. Filament is the slender stalk of the stamen and it terminally bears the anther. The pollen grains are produced within the anther and are liberated by the breakdown of anther wall.

Complete Answer:
- A typical angiosperm anther is bilobed and each lobe having two thecae. The bilobed nature of anther is very distinct.
- The anther is a four-sided structure consisting of four microsporangia located at the corners, i.e. each lobe contains two microsporangia. Transverse section of microsporangia shows that it contains four layers. They are epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and tapetum. Tapetum nourishes the pollen grains.
- Mature pollen grain contains two cells, vegetative cell and generative cell. The vegetative cell is large and has abundant food reserves and irregular nucleus. Generative cell is spindle shaped and is small, floats in the cytoplasm of vegetative cell.
- Pollen grains are released in 60 percent angiosperms in 2 celled stages. In remaining, the generative cell divides mitotically to give two male gametes before shedding the pollen grains.

- Pollen grains of many plants cause severe allergic problems and bronchial disorders in some sensitive people and leads to asthma, bronchitis etc. An example for one plant that can cause pollen allergy is carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus).
- Here, Amritya is contracted with seasonal allergy that's why he has a runny nose, fever and bronchitis. This seasonal allergy is caused by dispersed pollen grains of some plants. He and other pollen sensitive people should shift their living to some other town areas having less flowers and plants, they can take anti allergic medicines and therapy to avoid harmful effects pollen grains.

Additional information:
- Pollen grains are rich in nutrients.
- In European countries, a large number of pollen products are available in the form of tablets and syrups in the market.
- Pollen grain consumption has been claimed to increase the performance of race horses and athletes.
- Pollen grains of many species are stored for years in liquid nitrogen. Stored pollen grains can be used as pollen banks.

Note: The viability period of pollen grains is highly variable and depends on temperature and humidity. In some cereals, for example rice and wheat, pollen grains lose their viability within 30 minutes of their shedding. For some plants of Rosaceae, Leguminosae and Solanaceae the viability retains many months.