Scribd
Upload
316 views5 pages

Seed Structure and Function

The document discusses seed structure and function. It explains that seeds develop from fertilized ovules and consist of an embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. The endosperm provides stored food for the embryo. Seed development involves fertilization, endosperm development, and embryo formation through cell division. Seed dormancy and germination mechanisms ensure plant survival and growth.

Uploaded by

John Aplerh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
316 views5 pages

Seed Structure and Function

The document discusses seed structure and function. It explains that seeds develop from fertilized ovules and consist of an embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. The endosperm provides stored food for the embryo. Seed development involves fertilization, endosperm development, and embryo formation through cell division. Seed dormancy and germination mechanisms ensure plant survival and growth.

Uploaded by

John Aplerh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Seed Structure and Function

Doomsday Vault

- Houses the world’s most diverse collection of seeds, which acts as backup
when we face the challenge of climate change and human growth
Seeds
- Develops from the fertilized
ovule and includes the
embryo and endosperm
within a seed coat
- Contains the next generation
and completes the life cycle of a flowering plant.
- When mature, it consists of a dormant embryo surrounded by stored food
and protective layers.
- Forms after successful pollination
and double fertilization.
- Double fertilization yields a diploid
zygote (embryo) and a triploid
central nuclei (endosperm).
Endosperm Development
- Develops first before the embryo
- Central nuclei divides to form a multinucleate
“supercell” with a milky consistency.
- Nuclear Division not cellular division because there
are no cell walls that enclose the nuclei.
- Example is coconut

Monocot Endosperms
- Endosperm of grains such as wheat, corn, and
rice occupies the bulk of the kernel and its
main energy reserve for the development of a
young seedling.
- Monocot stores the bulk of its energy in the
endosperm.
Dicot Endosperms
- Most dicot seeds lack endosperms upon
maturity
- Food reserves of the endosperms are
transferred to the embryo.
- Stores its food in two cotyledons.

Seed Structure
1. Embryo – young plant
2. Endosperm – stored food for embryo
3. Seed Coat – encase the seed
4. Radicle – embryonic root
5. Epicotyl – embryonic shoot
6. Hypocotyl – junction between roots and
shoots
7. Cotyledon – seed leaf

Embryo Development
- Zygote undergoes mitotic division and give rise
to terminal and basal cell.
- Basal cell give rise to suspensor which attaches
to parent plant.
- Suspensor helps in transferring nutrients to the
embryo
- Terminal cell gives rise to most of the embryo
- Terminal cell divides several times and forms
into pro embryo.
- Cotyledons begin to form
- As the embryo elongates, shoot and root apex
appears.
Seed Dormancy
- A survival mechanism by which seeds can delay germination until the right
environmental conditions for seedling and growth development
Adaptation for Tough Times
- Seeds of desert plants germinate after heavy rainfall
- Some seeds require fire to break dormancy
- Seeds germinate after harsh winters
- Lettuce varieties break dormancy in shallow soil and ample sunlight
- Most seeds last for a year or two before germinating
Seed Germination
- Initiated by imbibition
- Imbibition causes the seed to expand and rupture its coat
- Enzymes digest stored food in
endosperm and/or cotyledons
- Nutrients are transferred to the
growing embryo
- Happens when seeds receive
appropriate conditions (enough
moisture, oxygen, appropriate
temperature)
- Young roots grown downward
in response to gravity
- Shoot produces its leaves as it
grows upward toward the light
- First leaves begin
photosynthesis
- Seeds that are buried too deep in the soil will not emerge.
Germination in Dicots
- The first organ to emerge is the radicle

- Hook forms in the hypocotyl, and growth


pushes the hook above ground

- Hypocotyl straightens, the cotyledons


separate, and the epicotyl spreads its first
true leaves

Germination in Monocots
- Shoot tips grows through the coleoptile
(sheath) once it has pushed through the
surface of the soil

- The cotyledon remains underground.

Does seed size matter?


Larger seeds are better able to support themselves initially, while smaller seeds
have a better chance for dispersal over a wide area, helping at least some seedlings
survive.
Summary:
• Seeds develop from ovule
• A seed consists of an embryo, an endosperm, and a seed coat
• The zygote undergoes a series of developmental stages to become an embryo
• Seed dormancy ensures survival of seeds
• Plant growth begins with seed germination
• Seed germination varies in monocots and dicots.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy