pollen sac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “pollen sac” mean?
A compartment in a plant's anther where pollen grains are produced and stored.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compartment in a plant's anther where pollen grains are produced and stored.
In botany and palynology, the structure within the male reproductive organ of a seed plant responsible for pollen development. It is a key anatomical feature for understanding plant reproduction, fertilization, and evolution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. Spelling conventions follow national norms (e.g., 'fertilise' vs. 'fertilize' in surrounding text).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to biological/agricultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pollen sac” in a Sentence
The pollen sac (subject) + verb (bursts/develops/contains)Observe/examine/study + the pollen sac (object)Pollen grains + are produced in + the pollen sacVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core term in botany, plant biology, palynology, and agricultural science papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Replaced by simpler terms like 'part of the flower' or 'where pollen is'.
Technical
Essential precise term in horticulture, apiculture (beekeeping), plant breeding, and environmental science discussing plant reproduction.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pollen sac”
- Mispronouncing as 'pollen sack' (/sæk/ not /sæk/).
- Using it as a countable noun without understanding anthers typically have four.
- Confusing it with the entire anther (the sac is a part within the anther).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised biological term used primarily in botany, agriculture, and related sciences.
Typically, a single anther contains four pollen sacs (microsporangia), arranged in two pairs.
The anther is the broader, tip-like part of the stamen. The pollen sacs are the specific internal chambers within the anther where pollen is made.
Often not clearly. The anther is visible, but the individual sacs within it usually require magnification to distinguish.
A compartment in a plant's anther where pollen grains are produced and stored.
Pollen sac is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Pollen sac: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒlən ˌsæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːlən ˌsæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SACk holding POLLEN. The anther is like a small bag (sac) filled with yellow pollen dust.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FACTORY or a WAREHOUSE for pollen production and storage.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a pollen sac?