Pollen tube through wind, water or pollinators. The last step before fertilization is the growth of the pollen tube to transfer non-motile sperm to the protected egg. Pollen tubes are unique to plants and their structure had evolved over plant history. The pollen tube formation is complex and the mechanism is not fully understood, but is of great interest to scientists. Pollen is produced by the stamen, the male reproductive organ of the flower. Each pollen grain contains a vegetative cell, and a generative cell that divides to form two sperm cells. The pollen is delivered by the opening of anthers for
Beta decay atoms obtain a more stable ratio of protons to neutrons. The probability of a nuclide decaying due to beta and other forms of decay is determined by its nuclear binding energy. The binding energies of all existing nuclides form what is called the nuclear band or valley of stability. For either electron or positron emission to be energetically possible, the energy release (see below) or Q value must be positive. Beta decay is a consequence of the weak force, which is characterized by relatively lengthy decay times. Nucleons are composed of up quarks and down quarks, and the weak force