Parts of a Seed: Explore Seed Coat, Embryo, Endosperm

A seed is the reproductive unit of angiosperms (flowering plants) capable of developing into another such plant. The following are it's parts:

Seed Part

Function

Example

Seed Coat

Protects the seed from damage & disease

Beans, Peas

Endosperm

Stores nutrients for the growing embryo

Coconut, Corn

Embryo

Develops into a new plant

All flowering plants


Below is the diagram of it's parts.

Image of Seed - Parts of a seed


They have an outer shell called the seed coat that protects them from bad weather, physical damage, & germs. It has a hard seed coat.

A small scar, the hilum, shows where the seed attached to the fruit.

The embryo is the small developing plant contained within the seed.

The seed has Cotyledons, a structure that stores nutrients to feed the embryos.


Seeds are classified as two types based on the number of cotyledons:

  • Monocotyledons (Monocots): Seeds that contain one cotyledon or seed leaf. Such as maize, rice, & wheat.

  • Dicotyledons (Dicots): These seeds have two cotyledons or seed lobes. Examples of pulse crops include gram, beans & peas.

Image of monocot and dicot seeds.


Conclusion:
Each part of a seed plays a vital role in protecting, nourishing, and developing the future plant - making seeds essential for the plant life cycle.

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