Seeds are required for the sexual reproduction of plants. This is exclusively found in angiosperms and gymnosperms, and it is created as a result of sexual reproduction in plants. A seed generated by a plant belonging to the Dicotyledons botanical group is referred to as a Dicotyledonous Seed. Buttercups and butter beans are examples of this type of plant.
Seeds:
A seed is a fertilised, completely ripened ovule that is usually used for plant reproduction. In Angiosperm plants, seeds are normally wrapped inside a fruit, however in Gymnosperm plants, seeds are directly born on the plant without fruit. Any seed contains a future miniature plant in the form of an embryo that is latent (inactive).
When exposed to proper conditions, such a dormant seed germinates. While the seed germinates under favourable conditions, it also accumulates food material to sustain the growing embryo. Surprisingly, the embryo of certain plant seeds can survive for 100 years or more. Seed embryos have the ability to resist adverse climate, temperature, and drought circumstances, among other things.
Types of seeds:
Seeds are divided into Monocotyledonous seeds and Dicotyledonous seeds based on the number of cotyledons present.
Dicot seeds:
Dicot seeds (also known as dicotyledon seeds) are seeds with two embryonic leaves and cotyledons. They are one of two classes that have been assigned to all blooming plants. Dicot seeds include bitter gourd seeds, Castor seeds, Mango seeds, Neem seeds, Night Jasmine seeds, Papaya seeds, and Tamarind seeds.
Characteristics of dicot seeds:
- Dicot seeds comprise a single embryo surrounded by two cotyledons and an embryo axis. All angiosperms or blooming plants were formerly classified as dicots.
- Seed pods in dicot plants vary in size, shape, and quantity because dicot seed pods can have any number of chambers. Seed pods from dicots frequently contain more seeds than seed pods from monocots.
- The seeds of most dicots are symmetrical and can be separated into two parts. The endosperm in dicots is commonly reduced, and in some cases completely absent.
- The shape of the seed varies between species and can be used to distinguish between them. For example, peas and beans can be distinguished by the shape of their seeds.
- Dicot seeds come in a variety of sizes, as the group includes a variety of plants ranging from shrubs to herbs to woody trees.
- Dicot seeds can be distinguished further by the absence of extra sheaths surrounding the embryo.
- Dicots are not a monophyletic group because their plants do not have a common ancestor.
Structure of dicot seeds:
- Dicotyledonous or dicot seeds include peas, almonds, and cashews.
- Dicots are another name for dicotyledons. Previously, all flowering plants, or angiosperms, were separated into these groups.
- The seed has two embryonic cotyledons, thus the name dicotyledons. To date, around 200,000 species of dicotyledons have been found.
- The embryo of a dicotyledonous seed consists of an embryo axis and two cotyledons. The inflated look of cotyledons is due to the fact that they serve as a food reserve for the developing seedling.
- There are two ends to the embryo axis. The plumule is the piece at the upper end that produces the shoot point, while the radicle is the portion at the lower end that makes the root tip.
- The seed coat is a protective shell that surrounds the entire substance. Two layers make up the seed coat: testa on the outside and tegmen on the inside. Furthermore, a structure known as the hilum connects the seed to the fruit.
- Apples, plums, and peaches are examples of dicot seeds.
Functions:
- The primary job of seeds is to supply adequate nutrition to the developing embryo. The presence of a food store on the seed permits seedling growth to begin more quickly than when sprouting from a spore.
- The seed also protects the embryo and allows for the plant’s effective spread to new locations. To aid dispersal, certain seeds contain traits such as light hairs or waterproof surfaces.
- To protect the embryo from harsh conditions, the seed goes into dormancy.
- Seeds of many plants are eaten as lentils or vegetables because they are rich in nutrients such as proteins and carbs.
Conclusion:
For the plants that produce them, seeds perform a range of functions. Feeding, dispersal to a new location, and hibernating in unfavourable conditions are all crucial responsibilities for the embryo. Most seeds are the result of sexual reproduction, which results in a remixing of genetic material and phenotype diversity on which natural selection acts. Endophytic microorganisms live inside plant seeds and can perform a variety of activities, the most important of which is disease defence.