Wind pollination requires that the pollen grains are

Options

A. Light and non-sticky
B. Heavy and sticky
C. Light and sticky
D. Heavy and non-sticky

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Wind Pollination**: Wind pollination, also known as anemophily, is the process by which pollen grains are transferred from the male part of a flower (stamen) to the female part (stigma) through the movement of air.

2. **Characteristics of Pollen Grains for Wind Pollination**:
- **Lightweight**: Pollen grains must be light so that they can be carried easily by the wind. If they were heavy, they would not be able to travel long distances and would not reach the stigma effectively.
- **Non-sticky**: Pollen grains should be non-sticky to prevent them from adhering to unwanted surfaces during their journey through the air. This ensures that they can reach the stigma of the flower efficiently.

3. **Exposed Stamens**: In plants that rely on wind pollination, the stamens are often exposed to allow for maximum release of pollen into the air. This increases the chances of pollen reaching the stigma of another flower.

4. **Feathery and Long Stigma**: The stigma of wind-pollinated flowers is typically feathery and elongated. This structure helps to catch the lightweight pollen grains that are carried by the wind.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the characteristics required for effective wind pollination, the correct answer to the question is that wind pollination requires pollen grains that are **light and non-sticky**.

**Final Answer**: Wind pollination requires that the pollen grains are **light and non-sticky**.

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