Seed Formation and Dispersal are important stages in the life cycle of plants. Seed Formation begins after fertilisation when the pollen grain reaches the stigma of the female part. Then this forms the zygote, which grows into an embryo inside the seed. The ovule of the female part of the flower develops into a seed. It is protected by a seed coat inside the fruit.
In Biology, Seed Dispersal is the process of a seed moving away from the parent plant after Seed Formation. This process helps plants grow in new locations with less competition. The seeds are dispersed by different agents like wind, water, gravity, and animals. This article includes the Seed Formation and Dispersal procedure.
Seeds are mature ovules that contain an embryonic plant together with a nutrition supply, all enclosed by a seed coat. They are responsible for plant propagation and thus support the continuation of the species and propagation of genetic material. The seeds of plants provide survival during unfavorable times and germinate at the most opportune time.
Seed formation and dispersal are therefore important in ecological balance and maintenance of biodiversity. Seeds guarantee the survival of the plant species by making possible colonization in new areas and adaptation to new environments. Seeds in agriculture are vital for the production of crops for food security, hence offering human beings and animals a reliable source of food. Good seed dispersal mechanisms also drive the enhancement of genetic diversity in plant populations in their resilience and adaptability to natural ecosystems.
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Seed formation is a key part of how Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants is done. It begins with fertilisation, where the male and female parts of a flower come together to form a zygote. This zygote later develops into a seed that can grow into a new plant. The details are given below:
A flower comprises the main parts: the stamen, which is the male reproductive part that consists of a bilobed anther and a filament, and the pistil, the female part consisting of stigma, style, and ovary. There is also an ovule with an egg cell. There are also petals and sepals, which protect and attract pollinators.
Fertilisation happens when pollen reaches the stigma. In angiosperms, this is followed by double fertilisation. One sperm cell joins with the egg to form a zygote. The other sperm cell combines with two other nuclei to form the endosperm, which feeds the growing embryo.
The zygote develops into an embryo, accompanied by cotyledon and protective seed coat formation around. This forms a mature seed, ready for dispersal and seed germination when conditions are right.
Monocots have one cotyledon and parallel veins, while dicots have two cotyledons and net veins. Structurally, these differences, in most cases, affect the development of plants. There are broadly two kinds Dicotyledonous and Monocotyledonous Seeds. They are mainly classified based on the number of cotyledons present.
Monocotyledons (Monocots) | Dicotyledons (Dicots) |
One cotyledon, generally thin and grassy in appearance. | Two cotyledons are usually broad and visible as the seed germinates. |
Parallel leaf venation with veins running in straight lines directly across the length of the leaf. | Reticulate venation is a network of interconnecting veins in the leaf. |
Fibrous root system with many thin roots extending out from the plant stem base. | Taproot type root system, where one primary root grows downward and smaller roots branch off laterally from this main root. |
Vascular bundles are scattered around the stem, with no particular pattern. | Vascular bundles in a ring in the stem produce an evident pattern. |
Examples include Wheat, corn, rice, barley, lilies, onions | Examples are Bean, pea, tomato, oak, rose |
Seed dispersal spreads the seeds away from the parent plant, thereby reducing the competition among them and helping the colonization of new areas, thus serving diversity and survival.
By Wind: Seeds are carried by the wind having adaptations such as wings.
By Water: Floating seeds are dispersed by water bodies.
By Animals: Seeds ingested or sticking to the fur are spread far and wide.
By Explosion: Seeds are forcefully thrown out from the fruit.
By Gravity (Barochory): Seeds fall to the ground due to gravity, often close to the parent plant.
Question 1: Seed is
Fertilized embryo
Fertilized ovary
Fertilized fruit
Fertilized Ovule
Answer: The Fertilized Ovule is the seed. Ovules convert into seeds. The fertilized ovule develops into a seed following the process of fertilization in plants. The zygote within the ovule grows into an embryo, while the ovule's integuments form the seed coat. The seed contains stored nutrients in the form of endosperm or cotyledons, supporting the growth of the embryo during germination. The ovary surrounding the ovule matures into a fruit, protecting the seed and aiding in its dispersal. Seeds are crucial for reproduction and propagation in plants, ensuring the survival of the species.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Fertilized Ovule
Question 2: Statement 1: Dispersal of seeds by air is called anemochory
Statement 2: Dispersal of seed by water is called hydrochory
1 - correct, 2 - incorrect
1 - incorrect , 2 - correct
1- correct , 2- correct
Both are incorrect
Answer: Dispersal of seeds by different mediums - The dispersal of seeds by air is called anemochory Dispersal of seed by water is called Hydrochory. Hydrochory is water dispersal, where buoyant seeds float on water, like coconuts. Zoocory involves animals dispersing seeds either externally, by attachment to fur, or internally, by consumption and excretion. Autocory is self-dispersal, where seeds are ejected from the plant. Barochory is gravity dispersal, where seeds fall from the plant. These methods help plants spread, reduce competition, and adapt to new environments.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) 1- correct, 2- correct
Question 3: Seeds develop after _____ from the _____.
Fertilization; ovary
Triple fusion; ovule
Fertilization; ovule
None of these
Answer: Seeds develop after fertilization from the ovule. Seeds develop after fertilization from the ovule, which contains the embryo and stored food. The outer integuments of the ovule form the seed coat, providing protection. Seeds serve as a vital means of reproduction and dispersal in angiosperms. They can remain dormant under unfavourable conditions, ensuring the survival of the species.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Fertilization; ovule.
Other Useful Resources:
The main stages include pollination, fertilisation, development of the embryo, and the formation of the seed coat.
The main methods are wind dispersal, water dispersal, animal dispersal, explosive dispersal, and gravity dispersal.
Seed dispersal is important in reducing competition and spreading plant species to new areas hence improving the ecological balance.
The main diffrence between is that monocot seeds contain one cotyledon whereas the dicots contain two.
Plants evolve such different adaptations as lightweight seeds for wind dispersal, buoyant seeds for water dispersal, fleshy fruits for animal dispersal, and mechanisms of explosive dispersal.
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