Difference Between Carpel and Pistil

Difference Between Carpel and Pistil: Carpel and Pistil are the female reproductive structures of a flower. The major difference between a carpel and a pistil is that the carpel consists of Ovary, Stigma, and Style whereas Pistil consists of one or more than one carpel fused together. Furthermore, there are differences based on functions, identification, etc. which will be covered in this article Understanding the differences between these two structures is crucial for understanding floral anatomy and the processes involved in fertilization.

Anthology deals with the structure and functions of Angiosperms (Flowering plants). A complete flower contains both vegetative and reproductive parts. Reproductive parts include Stamen, Pistil, and Carpel. The whorl of stamens is known as ‘Androecium’ which is the male reproductive part of plants while the whorl of carpels forms ‘Gynoecium’ which is the female reproductive part of plants.

Difference Between Carpel and Pistil

Features	Carpel	Pistil
Definition	Female reproductive part of a flower	Collection of fused carpels
Components	Ovary, Stigma, Style	Many carpels fused together
Production	Produces female gamete (egg) and seeds	Does not produce eggs or seeds
Fertilization	Fertilization occurs inside the carpel	Fertilization does not occur in the pistil
Dispersal of Seeds	Helps in the dispersal of seeds	Does not help in the dispersal of seeds
Identification	The number of carpels can be identified by the number of styles.	The number of pistils can be identified by the number of ovaries.

What is Carpel?

Carpel is the female reproductive structure of the flower. The whorl of carpels forms Gynoecium which is the fourth (innermost) whorl of the flower. It produces a female gamete i.e. egg. Fertilization occurs inside the carpel. And thus, it produces seeds. It helps in the dispersal of seeds. It is made up of style, stigma, and ovary.

• Stigma is the Landing Platform for pollen grains.
• Style is the hollow structure of the pollen tube.
• The ovary is the basal bulged part which is divided into many chambers known as Locules. Inside the locule, a tissue known as the Placenta is present to which ovules are attached with the help of a funicle.

What is Pistil?

Pistil refers to a collection of carpels that are fused together. In some flowers, the pistil may consist of a single carpel, while in others, multiple carpels can be fused together to form a pistil. This fused pistil can have many styles and stigmas, depending on the number of carpels involved. 

It does not produce eggs. Fertilization does not occur in the pistil. And thus seeds are not produced. Its key function is to facilitate pollination. It does not help in the dispersal of seeds. Seed dispersal is carried out by other mechanisms, such as wind, water, animals, or the plant itself. It consists of many carpels fused together. The number of pistils can be identified by the number of ovaries.

FAQs on Carpel and Pistil

Q1: What is the Difference Between a Carpel and a Pistil?

Answer:

A carpel is the female reproductive part of a flower. It consists of an ovary, stigma, and style. In contrast, a pistil is a collection of fused carpels.

Q2: What is the Role of a Carpel in Reproduction?

Answer:

The carpel produces the female gamete (egg) and fertilization occurs inside the carpel. It also produces seeds and helps in the dispersal of seeds.

Q3: Does the Pistil Produce Eggs or Seeds?

Answer:

No, the pistil itself does not produce eggs or seeds. Fertilization does not occur within the pistil. Its key function is to facilitate fertilization.

Q4: How can the Number of Carpels be Identified?

Answer:

The number of carpels can be determined by the number of styles present in a flower. Different flowers can have different numbers of carpels that result in different types, such as monocarpellary, bi-carpellary, or multi carpellary.

Q5: What is the Role of the Pistil in Seed Dispersal?

Answer:

The pistil does not play a role in the dispersal of seeds. Its main function is to facilitate pollination. Seed dispersal is carried out by other mechanisms, such as wind, water, animals, or the plant itself.