What is the union of the pollen and the stigma known as?

The union of the pollen and the stigma is correctly identified as pollination. Pollination is the process through which pollen grains, typically carried by wind, water, or animals, are transferred from the male part of the flower (the anther) to the female part (the stigma). This crucial step is part of the reproductive process in flowering plants.

During pollination, once the pollen lands on a compatible stigma, it can germinate, leading to the fertilization of the ovule. This correct identification highlights the important role that pollination plays in enabling plants to reproduce sexually. It is the first step leading to the development of seeds and eventually fruit.

Fertilization refers to the actual combining of the male sperm cell with the female ovule, which occurs after pollination has successfully taken place. Germination pertains to the process that occurs after a seed has formed, when it begins to sprout. Hybridization relates to the crossing of different plant varieties to produce new genetic combinations, but does not specifically pertain to the union of pollen and stigma. Understanding these distinctions is vital for comprehending plant biology and reproductive processes.