Week 2 | Day 3 | BIOA02

Seed Dispersal Syndrome

The adaptations and mechanisms by which seeds are dispersed away from the mother plant.

Parent-offspring competition

The competition between parent and offspring plants for space and resources.

Inbreeding depression

The negative effects of mating between closely related individuals, leading to reduced fitness and genetic diversity.

Ballistochory

A method of self-dispersal where seeds are forcefully shot out from the plant.

Anemochory

Seed dispersal by wind, facilitated by structures like hairs or wings that allow seeds to float away easily.

Hydrochory

Seed dispersal by water, typically occurring in plants that live near water bodies.

Exozoochory

Seed dispersal by attaching to the fur of larger animals or birds.

Endozoochory

Seed dispersal through ingestion by animals, which aids in germination.

Myrmecochory

Seed dispersal by ants, where seeds have fleshy structures called elaiosomes that provide food for the ants.

Barochory

Seed dispersal by gravity, often followed by secondary dispersal by animals.

Seed caching

The act of animals burying or hiding seeds for future consumption, leading to tree seedling recruitment.

Seed coat (testa)

The protective outer covering of a seed.

Embryo

The developing plant within a seed, consisting of the embryonic shoot, root (radicle), and cotyledons (embryonic leaves).

Endosperm

Food storage cells inside a seed that provide nourishment to the embryo during germination.