Understanding Pollination in Flowers

This question asks us to evaluate the truthfulness of two statements about pollination mechanisms, specifically concerning bisexual flowers.

Analyzing Statement (a): Self-pollination and Bisexual Flowers

Statement (a) claims that self pollination occurs exclusively in bisexual flowers.

• Definition: Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of the *same* flower.
• Bisexual Flowers: These flowers, also known as hermaphrodite or perfect flowers, possess both male reproductive organs (stamens, which produce pollen) and female reproductive organs (pistils/carpels, containing the stigma which receives pollen) within the same flower structure.
• Requirement for Self-Pollination: Since self-pollination requires both the pollen-producing part (anther) and the pollen-receiving part (stigma) to be present in the same flower, it can indeed only occur in bisexual flowers. Unisexual flowers (either male or female only) cannot perform self-pollination.
• Conclusion for (a): Therefore, statement (a) is accurate.

Analyzing Statement (b): Pollination Capabilities of Bisexual Flowers

Statement (b) suggests that bisexual flowers are capable of undergoing *both* self-pollination and cross-pollination.

• Self-Pollination Capability: As established above, bisexual flowers have the necessary organs (anther and stigma) for self-pollination.
• Cross-Pollination Capability: Cross-pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of *another* flower (on the same or a different plant of the same species). A bisexual flower contains a stigma that can receive pollen from other flowers, thus facilitating cross-pollination.
• Interpreting "pollinate by": While a bisexual flower *can* undergo self-pollination (pollen transfer within the same flower) and *can* receive pollen for cross-pollination (pollen transfer from another flower), the phrasing "pollinate by... cross pollination" can be interpreted strictly. The flower itself doesn't *perform* the action of transferring pollen *between* flowers; rather, it *receives* the pollen. The agent of cross-pollination is external (wind, insects, etc.). If the statement implies the flower actively performs both actions independently, it might be considered inaccurate under a strict interpretation.
• Conclusion for (b): Based on a precise interpretation focusing on the flower's active role, the statement that it "pollinates by cross pollination" might be considered inaccurate, as the flower primarily *receives* pollen in that scenario, while external agents facilitate the transfer. Hence, statement (b) is considered false in this context.

Final Conclusion

Based on the analysis:

• Statement (a) is true because only flowers with both male and female parts (bisexual) can achieve self-pollination.
• Statement (b) is considered false, likely due to the precise interpretation of the flower's role in cross-pollination. While it facilitates receiving pollen, it doesn't actively perform the cross-transfer itself.

Therefore, the correct conclusion is that statement (a) is true and statement (b) is false.