Seed formation is the process by which seeds are created in flowering plants after fertilization, beginning with pollen reaching the ovule and culminating in a mature seed.
What are the main parts of a seed?
The main parts of a seed are the seed coat, endosperm, and embryo which includes the cotyledons, epicotyl, and radicle.
What role does the seed coat play in seed formation?
The seed coat is the protective outer layer that shields the seed from physical damage and disease, and aids in the dormancy and germination process.
What is the function of the endosperm in a seed?
The endosperm provides nutrients to the developing embryo, often containing starches, proteins, and oils that support initial growth stages after germination.
How does fertilization lead to seed formation?
Fertilization in plants involves the fusion of male and female gametes, triggering the development of an embryo and eventually a seed within the ovule.
What is the role of the cotyledons in a seed?
Cotyledons, or seed leaves, store nutrients and aid initial growth by providing energy to the developing seedling before true leaves emerge.
Why is water necessary for seed germination?
Water is essential for activating enzymes in the seed, initiating metabolic processes crucial for breaking dormancy and allowing the seed to sprout.
What environmental conditions favor seed germination?
Conditions favorable for seed germination typically include adequate water, suitable temperature, oxygen availability, and sometimes light.
How do seeds ensure species propagation?
Seeds facilitate species propagation by allowing plants to disperse offspring over distances and endure unfavorable conditions until germination is viable.
What is seed dormancy, and why is it vital?
Seed dormancy is a survival mechanism that delays germination until conditions are favorable, ensuring the seed's viability over time.
How are seeds dispersed?
Seeds are dispersed through various mechanisms, including wind, water, animals, and mechanical means, aiding in spreading plants to diverse areas.
What significance does the radicle have in a seed?
The radicle is the first part of a seed to develop into the primary root, anchoring the plant and beginning nutrient and water uptake.
What triggers the breaking of seed dormancy?
Environmental cues such as temperature changes, light exposure, moisture, and in some cases, scarification, can break seed dormancy and initiate germination.
How does temperature influence seed germination?
Temperature impacts enzyme activity and metabolic rates in seeds, determining the success and speed of germination.
What are the types of seed dispersal?
Seed dispersal types include anemochory (wind), hydrochory (water), zoochory (animals), and autochory (self-dispersal).