STRUCTURE OF FRUITS & SIGNIFICANCE OF SEEDS & FRUIT

STD-12      UNIT-6     CHA-2

REPRODUCTION IN FLOWERING PLANT

STRUCTURE OF FRUITS & SIGNIFICANCE OF SEEDS & FRUIT 

STRUCTURE OF FRUITS

• The tissue of the ovary wall stimulated to grow with the development of the seed . 
• It produces a fruit wall or pericarp . 
• In some cases , thalamus and other floral parts also show proliferation alongwith the development of the ovary wall . They are called false fruits , eg . Apple , Strawberry , Cashew . 
• The fruits in which no part of the flower develops alongwith ovary are called true fruits . 
• Some fruits also develop without fertilization . They are seedless fruits and are called parthenocarpic fruits , e.g. Banana , Parthenocarpy or production of seedless fruits can be induced artificially by means of hormones .

SIGNIFICANCE OF SEEDS

• Dependable Method . Unlike bryophytes and pteridophytes , pollination and fertili zation of seed plants are free from requirement of water . Seed formation is , therefore , more dependable . 
• Perennation . Seed is dry ( water content 10-15 % ) with dormant embryo and thick protective seed coat . It is most suitable for perennation through unfavourable periods .
• Dispersal . Seeds have adaptive strategies to get dispersed to new habitats and colonise the same
• Reserve Food . Seeds have reserve food for nourishing the young seedlings till they become nutritionally independent . 
• Variations . As seeds are formed through sexual reproduction they carry a number of variations . Variations are essential for adaptability to diverse environmental conditions . 
• Storage . Seeds can be stored for later use . This is helpful for supply of food throughout the year and to overcome drought and famine conditions.
• Agriculture . Seed is the basis of agriculture . Agriculture originated when humans learnt to eat , store and sow seeds . Agriculture proved to be turning point for evolution of human civilization , industrialization , science and technology .

SIGNIFICANCE FRUIT 

• Protection . Developing fruits protect the developing seeds from mechanical injury . insects and unfavorable climatic conditions .
• Dispersal . Fruits help the seeds in dispersal to distant places .
• Food to Animals . Fleshy fruits provide food to animals who also act as dispersal agents of their seeds . Fleshy fruits generally have hard seeds      ( e.g. Guava , Fig ) while hard shelled fruits have soft seeds ( egg Almond ) .
• Nutrition to Germinating Seeds . Some fruits provide nutrition to germinating seeds and developing seedlings .
• Importance to Humans . Fruits are a source of food . protein oil , organic acids . vitamins , minerals and sugars .

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