Question

Seeds are mature _____ ; fruits are mature ______. a. ovaries; ovules b. ovules; sepals c. ovules; ovaries d. receptacles; ovaries

Short answer

c. Seeds are mature ovules; fruits are mature ovaries.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Concepts

To solve this question, we need to know the process of seed and fruit development in plants. Seeds develop from ovules after fertilization. Fruits develop from ovaries, which are the parts that enclose the ovules.

Matching the Terms to Definitions

We identify that seeds are mature ovules because seeds form from fertilized ovules. Similarly, fruits are mature ovaries as fruits develop from the part of the flower that encloses the seeds and protects them.

Choosing the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis, the correct answer should have "ovules" matched with "seeds" and "ovaries" matched with "fruits". Checking the options, only option c. matches this description: "Seeds are mature ovules; fruits are mature ovaries."

Key concepts

Ovules

Ovules are integral to the process of plant reproduction. In the plant's ovary, ovules are small structures, similar to tiny seeds. They carry the female gametophytes and are essential for the plant's fertilization.
Ovules consist of several parts:

• An outer layer called the integument, which protects the ovule.
• A nucellus, which is the central part containing cell tissues.
• An embryo sac, where the actual fertilization process occurs.

Once fertilized, ovules progress into seeds. This transformation is critical because seeds are the primary method by which many plants reproduce and spread.

Ovaries

Ovaries in plants play a crucial role in reproductive processes. Found in the lower part of the pistil, the ovary contains the ovules. It is vital for seed and fruit formation.
In botany, the ovary serves as:

• A protective organ, safeguarding the ovules from environmental stress.
• A space for fertilization, where pollen finds ovules to fertilize.
• A resource area, providing the nutrients required for the ovules’ growth into seeds.

Upon fertilization, the ovary matures into fruit, which encases the seeds, aiding in their dispersion.

Plant Reproduction

Plant reproduction occurs through a beautiful and complex process involving different floral parts. It can be divided into two categories: sexual and asexual reproduction.
Sexual reproduction involves:

• The male gametes or pollen being transferred to the female ovules during pollination.
• The fertilization of ovules inside the ovary, resulting in seed formation.

Asexual reproduction doesn't involve gametes and includes methods like budding and vegetative propagation. However, sexual reproduction leads to genetic diversity, which is vital for the evolution and adaptability of plants.

Fertilization

Fertilization in plants is a process where male and female gametes unite to form a new organism. This process begins with pollination and ends with seed development.
Here are the key steps:

• Pollen lands on the stigma, the top part of the pistil.
• The pollen travels down the style to reach the ovules in the ovary.
• Once contact is made, fertilization occurs, leading the zygote to transform into an embryo within a seed.

This complex yet efficient process is at the heart of plant reproduction, ensuring the survival and proliferation of plant species.

Botany

Botany, also known as plant science or phytology, is the scientific study of plants. It involves understanding every aspect of plant life from growth and reproduction to disease and ecology.
Key areas botany covers include:

• Plant morphology: The study of physical form and structure of plants.
• Plant physiology: How plants function, including photosynthesis and nutrient absorption.
• Plant ecology: How plants interact with their environment and other organisms.

Botany is integral to numerous fields like agriculture, environmental conservation, and pharmacology, making it a cornerstone of understanding and working with our natural world.