How Do You Spell SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY IN PLANTS?

Pronunciation: [sˈɛlfɪnkəmpˌatɪbˈɪlɪti ɪn plˈants] (IPA)

Self-incompatibility is a phenomenon observed in plants, where plants have mechanisms to prevent self-fertilization. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /sɛlfɪnkəmpəˈtɪbɪlɪti/. It can be broken down into four syllables, with stress on the second syllable. The 'c' in 'incompatibility' is pronounced as /k/ and 'ti' at the end is pronounced as /tɪ/. The correct spelling of this word is crucial in scientific research and communication, especially in the field of plant breeding and genetics.

SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY IN PLANTS Meaning and Definition

  1. Self-incompatibility in plants refers to a biological mechanism that prevents self-fertilization or inbreeding by ensuring that a plant cannot fertilize its own ovules with its own pollen. This mechanism is a common characteristic found in various plant species and serves as a natural mechanism promoting outbreeding, genetic diversity, and the avoidance of inbreeding depression.

    Self-incompatibility works through a complex recognition and rejection process within the plant's reproductive system. Each plant possesses a specific genetic system consisting of self-incompatibility alleles or genes. These genes determine the compatibility or incompatibility between the pollen (male reproductive cells) and the ovules (female reproductive cells) of the same individual plant.

    When a plant's pollen lands on its own stigma (the receptive part of the female reproductive organ), self-incompatibility proteins, known as S-proteins or stylar proteins, are expressed by the plant's pistil. These proteins interact with the pollen's S-alleles, resulting in the activation of signaling pathways that inhibit pollen tube growth or the successful fertilization of the ovules.

    The exact mechanisms and molecular processes by which self-incompatibility operates can vary among plant species, but the ultimate outcome is the same: to prevent self-fertilization and promote cross-fertilization. This process is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity within plant populations, enhancing adaptability, and preventing the accumulation of harmful recessive traits.

    Self-incompatibility is a vital reproductive strategy employed by many plant species, playing a significant role in their evolutionary success and ecological interactions.