Seeds are a part of plant life that is found in many different plants. They can come in a number of shapes and sizes. Some seeds are able to have omega-3 fatty acids inside them. Other seeds can have different colors. And others are even shaped in such a way that they can serve as an ornamental part of the plant.
Angiosperms
Angiosperms are one of the largest groups of plants in the world. They are also a vital part of our terrestrial ecosystem. Currently, there are approximately 250,000 species of angiosperms. These plants range from tiny floating plants to gigantic trees.
There are four basic parts of angiosperms. The first is the root system. The roots are responsible for absorbing water from the soil. They also help anchor the plant. Water is then distributed to the leaves and the stem.
A second important part of angiosperms is their reproductive organs. This includes the flowers and the ovaries. The flowers are usually colorful and have pleasant smells.
Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are a group of vascular plants that produce seeds in cones. Depending on the plant type, the seed may be covered in cone scales or completely naked. The term gymnosperm is used for a broad range of plants including cycads, ginkgo, gnetophytes and pinophytes.
Gymnosperms are seed-bearing vascular plants with a sporophyte-dominant life cycle. Gymnosperms have a complex pollination process that relies on wind and insects to carry pollen to the cones. In some cycads, the male gametophyte is shed by wind.
After fertilization, the zygote grows to form an embryo. An embryo is composed of two or more seed leaves, one or more cotyledons and an endosperm. The endosperm is a food reserve for the young plants. It is derived from the mother plant. Endosperm tissue contains starch and protein.
Striate seeds
Seeds are typically composed of an embryo, endosperm, and a coat. The coat is a layer of tissue which protects the embryo from adverse environmental conditions. It also helps in water absorption. Some seeds have a thick and fleshy coat while others have a papery layer.
In plants of the endospermic dicotyledon family, endosperm is the source of nutrients for the embryo. Endospermic seeds have an oblique furrow near the lens, and are elliptic to ovate in shape. They are reddish brown to black, with a diameter of 3-4.5 mm.
Striate seeds are striped with longitudinal ridges and lines, or may be morphologically crustaceous. They are most commonly brown.
Shapes of seeds
Shapes of seeds are regulated by genetic, developmental, and ecological processes. They can also be used as taxonomic characters in Opuntioideae.
Shapes of seeds may be irregular, triangular, circular, or elliptical. Some have grooves along the length. Others are egg shaped or flattened at the ends.
Cactaceae have an unusual variety of seed shapes. Among them are the spirals. The embryo turns around the center during development. In other species, the ovules are amphitropous, meaning they are turned 90 degrees on the funiculus. Various maturation levels cause different degrees of deformation during compression.
Geometric models have been developed to describe the shapes of seeds in Cactaceae. These models can be applied to compare species and to compare the shape of seeds in populations. Currently, there are three main groups of geometric models: symmetric, superellipses, and polar equations.
Omega-3 fatty acids in seeds
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that our body needs for proper health. They help regulate inflammation, boost the brain and heart, and can improve the skin and hair. So, whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or someone with a dairy allergy, seeds are a great source of these healthy fats.
There are two main types of omega-3 fatty acids. They are alpha-linolenic and docosahexaenoic. Alpha-linolenic acid is found in flax seeds, nuts, leafy greens, and vegetable oils. Likewise, docosahexaenoic acid is found in cold water ocean fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel.
Flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds are common sources of these oils. These seeds are good for you because they contain fiber and are rich in antioxidants. In addition, they are a great source of protein and other essential nutrients.
Origins of seeds
Seed origin is an unresolved problem in plant biology. Traditional approaches to seed origin involve comparative morphology or fossil investigations. However, the advent of new experimental methods has led to a new perspective on seed origin.
Studies of pteridophytes have provided a broader view on the evolution of seeds. In pteridophytes, the LEC1-like gene is thought to play a central role in the seed program. Research into pteridophytes has led to the emergence of a “golden-trio hypothesis,” which proposes that seed program integration occurs spatially and temporally.
The golden-trio hypothesis describes a scenario in which three key components (seed coat, embryo, and sporophytic tissue) are spatially and temporally integrated. It is believed that the interaction of these three components results in the initiation and development of the seed program in land plants.
