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self-fertilization |
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self-fertilizationFusion of male and female sex cells (gametes) produced by the same individual. This type of fertilization occurs in bisexual organisms, including most flowering plants, numerous protozoans, and many invertebrates. Many organisms capable of self-fertilization can also reproduce by means of cross-fertilization. As an evolutionary mechanism, self-fertilization allows an isolated individual to create a local population and stabilizes desirable genetic strains, but it fails to provide a significant degree of variability within a population and thereby limits the possibilities for adaptation to environmental change. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Finally, tomato flowers, which are self-fertilizing, require vibrations from wind or bumblebees in order to be pollinated and set fruit. If you only have enough room for one plant, be sure to ask the nursery grower whether your cultivar is self-fertilizing or not. Technological fixes (safe nuclear power, new materials, self-fertilizing crops) are part of the answer. |
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