Final answer:
Pollination and fertilization are two distinct processes in the plant reproductive cycle. Pollination entails transferring pollen from the anther to the stigma, whereas fertilization involves the fusion of pollen sperm and egg to form a zygote. Also, there's no standard time between pollination and fertilization; it varies based on numerous factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false. Despite their interrelation, pollination and fertilization are not the same process. Pollination happens when pollen is transferred from the anther (the male part of the flower) to the stigma (the female part). This can happen within the same flower or between different flowers. It's a crucial phase in the reproduction of flowering plants, facilitating eventual fertilization.
Contrarily, fertilization is the process that happens after successful pollination. It occurs when the pollen develops a pollen tube, allowing a sperm cell to travel down and fuse with the egg cell within the ovule of the flower. This fusion creates a diploid zygote – the initial stage of a new plant. Therefore, while pollination often paves the way for fertilization, they are unique processes.
Moreover, the time between pollination and fertilization can vary considerably. Many factors, including the plant species and environmental conditions, impact the duration of this interval. So, it's also inaccurate to claim that fertilization swiftly follows pollination.
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