Structure of seeds
A seed is an important part of a flowering plant. They give rise to a new plant. They may be of
different shapes, colours and sizes. They may be round, wrinkled, winged or hairy. They are in a
dormant condition until they receive adequate sunlight, water, and soil. The growth of the plant
from a seed is known as germination. A seed has three parts:
● Seed Coat
● Endosperm
● Embryo
Seed Coat
A seed coat protects the internal
parts of a seed. The seed coat has
two layers. The outer layer is thick
and known as the testa. The inner
layer is thin and known as tegmen.
A thick seed coat protects the seed
from sunlight and water. It
prevents the loss of water and entry of parasites within the seeds. The hard seed
coats prevent germination during unfavourable environmental conditions.
An opening in the integument of the ovule is known as the micropyle and is visible on
some seed coats. The hilum is also visible which is equivalent to the naval in humans
where the umbilical cord is attached.
Endosperm
The endosperm contains the nutrients stored in it. It provides nutrients to the seed in
the form of starch, carbohydrates and proteins to support the embryo during
germination. It is located below the seed coat. The seeds remain viable with the
intake of nutrients until germination.
The endosperm may be mealy, continuous or ruminated. An endosperm has a
triploid chromosome complement.
In corns and other cereals, endosperm constitutes a major portion of the seed. In
seeds like beans, the endosperm is utilized in the embryo development and is absent
in the seed. Coconut is the liquid endosperm.
Embryo
The embryo is the most important
part of a seed. It is diploid, developed
from the fertilized egg. All the cells
that need to develop into a mature
embryo are present within the
embryo. An embryo comprises the
following parts:
● Epicotyl
● Hypocotyl
● Radicle
● Cotyledons
Epicotyl is a small shoot which gives rise to the entire plant shoot system.
The primary root emerges first during germination. It is also known as hypocotyl. It
anchors the plant firmly in the soil.
Radicle is a small embryonic root.
The cotyledons provide nourishment to different parts of the embryo. It emerges as
a tiny or fleshy leaf from the soil with the seedling during growth. It stores food in the
form of starch and protein.
The embryonic leaves are the first to appear above the ground. An embryo develops
from a fertilized egg.
