Knowledge Point 01: Diversity of Seeds in Plant Fruits
Plant fruits generally contain seeds, but there are significant differences in the number, size, and shape of seeds among different plants. Even within the fruits of the same plant species, the number of seeds can vary.
As reproductive organs, plant fruits contain seeds that are crucial for their offspring’s propagation. These seeds are morphologically distinct, with some being small and delicate, while others are large and full-bodied, and their shapes also vary, such as round, oval, and flat.
These differences not only reflect the genetic diversity of plants but are also closely related to their growth environments and reproduction strategies. For example, some plants increase their reproduction opportunities by producing a large number of small seeds, while others ensure the survival ability of their offspring by producing a small number of large seeds.
Additionally, even within the same plant species, due to differences in growth conditions, pollination efficiency, and other factors, the number of seeds in its fruits can also vary.
Knowledge Point 02: Multiple Dissemination Methods of Plant Seeds
Plant seeds have various dissemination methods, such as ballistic dissemination, rolling dissemination, wind dissemination, water dissemination, and animal dissemination, to adapt to different ecological environments.
Ballistic dissemination is a common dissemination method for many leguminous plants, such as rapeseed, mung beans, and soybeans, where the fruits suddenly burst open when ripe, ejecting the seeds. Rolling dissemination is seen in plants like chestnuts, which disseminate seeds through the rolling or bouncing of their fruits.
Wind dissemination is prevalent in seeds with light, winged, or hairy characteristics, such as dandelions, reeds, and willows, which drift far away with the wind. Water dissemination is suitable for aquatic or wetland plants, such as lotus pods and coconuts, whose seeds can float on the water surface and disseminate with the current.
Animal dissemination is exemplified by plants like burdock, whose seeds have hooks, spines, or mucus on their surfaces, allowing them to attach to animals and disseminate through their movements. These diverse dissemination methods ensure that plant seeds can successfully disseminate in various environments and thus propagate their offspring.
