Types of Fruits and Seeds

Flashcards covering the classification of fruits (simple, aggregate, multiple), pericarp layers, dry and fleshy fruit types, and the structural differences between monocot and dicot seeds.

What is the botanical definition of a fruit?

A fruit is the mature ovary of a flower that develops after fertilization and contains seed(s).

What are the three layers that make up the fruit wall (pericarp)?

i. Epicarp (outer layer/skin), ii. Mesocarp (middle fleshy layer), and iii. Endocarp (inner layer surrounding the seed).

How are fruits classified based on their origin?

Fruits are broadly classified into three main types based on origin: Simple fruits, Aggregate fruits, and Multiple fruits.

What is a simple fruit?

A fruit that develops from a single ovary of one flower.

Which type of simple fleshy fruit has an entirely fleshy pericarp, such as the Avocado or Pawpaw?

Berry.

What describes a Drupe fruit and what are some examples?

A Drupe has a hard endocarp (stone) enclosing the seed; examples include Date, Walnut, Mango, Coconut, and Peach.

What is the difference between a Pepo and a Hesperidium?

A Pepo is a berry with a thick rind (e.g., Watermelon, Cucumber), while a Hesperidium is a citrus fruit with a leathery rind (e.g., Orange, Lemon).

What is the primary difference between dehiscent and indehiscent dry fruits?

Dehiscent fruits split open at maturity to release seeds, whereas indehiscent fruits do not split open at maturity.

Which dry dehiscent fruit splits along two sutures?

Legume (e.g., Beans, Cowpea).

What is a Follicle fruit as described in the notes?

A dry dehiscent fruit that splits along one suture, such as Calotropis.

In which dry indehiscent fruit is the seed fused with the fruit wall?

Caryopsis (e.g., Maize, Rice, Wheat).

How is an Aggregate fruit formed?

It develops from several ovaries of a single flower; each ovary forms a small fruitlet, and together they form the aggregate fruit (e.g., Strawberry, Raspberry).

What is a Multiple fruit and what are some examples?

A fruit that develops from an entire inflorescence (cluster of flowers) where fruits from many flowers fuse together; examples include Breadfruit, Figs, Jackfruit, and Pineapple.

What is a seed and what are its three main parts?

A seed is a mature ovule formed after fertilization; it consists of the Seed coat (Testa), Embryo, and Food reserve.

What are Endospermic (Albuminous) seeds?

Seeds that retain endosperm as a food reserve at maturity, typically featuring a small embryo (e.g., Maize, Wheat, Castor, Coconut).

Why do Non-Endospermic (Exalbuminous) seeds lack endosperm at maturity?

The endosperm is used up during embryo development, and food is instead stored in the cotyledons.

What are the features of Monocotyledonous seeds?

They contain one cotyledon, have endosperm present, and a small embryo (e.g., Rice, Wheat).

What are the features of Dicotyledonous seeds?

They contain two cotyledons, have a large embryo, and endosperm is usually absent (e.g., Bean, Cowpea, Groundnut).