Key Vocabulary

Anther
The pollen-producing tip of a stamen.

Chromosome 
One of the threadlike "packages" of genes and other DNA in the nucleus of a cell. In reproduction, offspring receive half of their chromosomes from the male parent and half from the female parent.

Fertilization 
In plants, the union of parental chromosomes (found in the pollen and the eggs) to produce a seedling.

Genetics
The scientific study of DNA, the genes, or the chromosomes - the physical structures that guide development and are the basis of inheritance.

Gene
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Germination
The sprouting of a plant seed.

Ovary
In flowering plants, the part of the flower which encloses the ovules. When the ovary matures, it becomes the fruit.

Ovule
In plants, the structure which contains the eggs and gives rise to the seed.

Petal
One of the outer appendages of a flower, located between the outer sepals and the stamens. Petals often display bright colors that serve to attract pollinators.

Pistil
The seed-bearing, "female" part of a flowering plant.

Pollen
The male sex cells of a flowering plant produced by the anther; pollen usually appears as a fine dust.

Pollination
The process of transferring the pollen from its place of production to the place where the egg cell is produced. This may be accomplished by the use of wind, water, insects, birds, bats, or other means. Pollination is usually followed by fertilization.

Sepal 
The outermost structure of a flower which serves to enclose and protect the flower bud before it has bloomed.

Stamen 
The "male" part of the flower, the tip of which produces pollen and is called the anther.

Sources:

GardenWeb Glossary

University of California Museum of Paleontology - Botany Glossary

The Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

California Department of Public Health Glossary

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MPSC offers seasonal schedules of Science 360 shows to the public. Follow this link to see the current schedule of public shows at MPSC.

Please note that seasonal schedules change four times each year (spring, summer, fall and holiday), and some shows are not offered during every schedule.

In addition to its public shows, MPSC offers shows during the week especially for school classes and other field trip groups. These school shows do not appear on the seasonal schedule but do appear on MPSC's daily calendar.

If seats are available, the public may purchase tickets to school shows.

However, school groups with reserved seating have first priority on any remaining seats (for example, if extra chaperons attend), so MPSC cannot guarantee that public seats will be available for school shows.