INSIDE THE POLLEN STORE
This is a thale cress plant’s reproductive organ, called an anther. Within the anther are chambers called microsporangia that manufacture and store grains of pollen, seen in this image as green spheres. Pollen is released from the anther when a pollinator, such as an insect or bird, brushes up against the organ, which in turn opens small pores for the pollen to escape. Upon release the pollen, which contains the plant’s male ‘sperm’ cells, falls from the anther to the female reproductive organs, including the plant’s ovary, for successful reproduction and the development of seeds. This image was captured using confocal microscopy, using laser-focused fluorescent light to reveal magnified images.