7 Morphological Difference between Carpel and Pistil with Table

calendarJan 7, 2023 · 3 min read  ·
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What is the difference between carpel and pistil?

Carpel and pistil are reproductive parts of a flower. Besides that, these parts are the basic units of the gynoecium. The female flower parts are closely related but perform different functions.

The main difference between carpel and pistil is that the former consists of stigma, style, and ovary while the pistil consists of the union of carpels.

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Difference between Carpel and Pistil

Comparison Table (Carpel vs Pistil)

Basic TermsCarpelPistil
MeaningRefer to the female reproductive parts of a flowerRefer to the ovule bearing parts of a flower
ComponentsOvary, style, and stigmaUnion of carpels
SignificanceCan be counted by counting the number of separate stylesCan be counted by counting the number of ovaries
FunctionProducing egg cells and undertaking fertilizationProducing seeds and dispersion of seeds

What Is a Carpel?

A carpel is a set of female reproductive organs on a flower. It composes of stigma, style, and ovary. It also consists of megasporophyll which contains a modified leaf-bearing ovule.

The carpel ovary contains placentas. The structure contains one or more ovules. The ovule has a nucleus, outer layer, and remains of megasporangium.

The seeds develop in the carpel after the pollen grains from another plant enters the ovary to facilitate fertilization.

What Is a Pistil?

A pistil is the fusion of one or more carpels. This female part of the flower is centrally located and has a swollen base that contains ovules.

Some of the remnants of carpels present are style and pollen tubes. These structures usually occur at the tip of the ovary.

A pistil with numerous carpels union is known as syncarpous while a pistil with separate carpels in flower is called apocarpous.

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Main Difference between Carpel and Pistil

  • The carpel is the female reproductive organ in a flower while the pistil is the seed-bearing female reproductive organ in a flower
  • Carpel comprised of stigma, ovary, and style while pistil comprise of a variable number of carpels
  • Carpels are responsible for producing egg cells while pistil do not produce egg cells
  • Carpel undertake fertilization while pistil does not undertake fertilization
  • The carpel is responsible for seed production while the pistil does not produce seeds
  • Carpel help in seed dispersal while pistil serves as the female part of the flower
  • A total number of styles defines the number of carpels while the total number of ovaries defines the number of pistils.

    • Similarities between Carpel and Pistil

  • Both are the female parts of a flower
  • Both comprise of stigma, style, and ovary
  • Both undertake in production of egg cells, fertilization, and seed dispersal

    • Comparison Video

    Summary

    A carpel of a flower comprises of stigma, style, and ovary. It is responsible for egg cell production, fertilization, and dispersal of seeds. A pistil of a flower is the female part of a flower.

    These female parts of a flower play a critical role during the fertilization of a flower. But these terms tend to confuse many students during their revision for biology exams.

    More Sources and References

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