Seeds are the characteristic reproductive body of angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms (conifers, cycads, and ginkgoes). They consist of a miniature plant embryo surrounded by reserve food materials in a protective coat.
Many seeds have appendages to entice animal dispersers or to aid wind or water transport. Examples include wings (as in dandelion), raphes, hooks, or barbs.
They’re a just-add-water kit for new life
Seed catalogs have started to roll in and gardeners are starting to plan their gardens. It’s a great time to think about how complicated and elegant seeds are. A seed is a plant embryo packaged in a small container with stored food, and it can give rise to a new plant given the right conditions.
Gather similar-sized seeds and ask children to sort them into piles (sorting can be done in paper plates or egg cartons for easy clean up). Add forceps or tweezers for fine-motor skill practice. You can also use the seeds to make a pattern or picture. Or, if the children are old enough, they can sprout some of the seeds to see what happens. A fun, science lesson for all ages!
They’re a source of food
Seeds are a rich source of heart-healthy fats, fibre and vitamins. They are easy to add to soups and salads and they make nutritious snacks. They also provide a good plant-based source of protein. Those with nut allergies can easily substitute nuts with seeds and enjoy them as part of their diet.
A seed is a miniature undeveloped plant embryo with food reserves enclosed in a protective coat. It is the characteristic reproductive body of both angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms (conifers, cycads and ginkgoes). Seeds are extraordinarily durable, with the ability to survive extreme conditions and perform multiple functions such as multiplication, dormancy, germination, and dispersal.
Seeds are high in dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health. This nutrient adds bulk to the stool and helps maintain regularity, which reduces your risk of digestive issues like bloating and constipation. They also contain heart-, bone-, muscle- and brain-supporting nutrients. They are a great source of healthy omega-3 fats, which help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
They’re a way of reproduction
Seeds are the characteristic reproductive bodies of angiosperms (flowering plants) and gymnosperms such as conifers and cycads. Essentially, they consist of a miniature undeveloped plant embryo and stored food reserves, all surrounded by a protective shell or testa.
The two main groups of seed plants are the naked-seeded gymnosperms, and angiosperms with seeds enclosed in ovaries. To create a seed, an egg cell in the ovule of a female gametophyte (plant) is fertilized by sperm from pollen grains, producing a zygote.
Throughout this process, the seed coat, endosperm and embryo undergo a series of cellular, physiological and biochemical changes. Cecilia’s research is focusing on one part of this complex network: how genes control the formation of the seed coat. This is important because seeds that are protected against damage by insects, birds and mammals are more likely to grow true, meaning they produce the same type of plant as the parent. This is essential for successful gardening and horticulture.
They’re a unique structure
Seeds are the most important part of a plant, and they are what make plants so successful. They provide most of our food, including grains and beans. They also provide the majority of our cooking oils.
They are a unique structure because they are not a single cell like sperm, but a semi-developed organism that has arrested its development and gone dormant. This allows seeds to travel significant distances while remaining viable and nutritious for long periods of time.
Seeds are created by the fertilized ovule of a seed-bearing plant, and they contain an embryo, stored food, and a protective outer coating. The embryo is the tiny beginnings of a new plant, and the food is a combination of starch and oil in the endosperm. The outside of the seed is called a seed coat, which develops from the integuments of the ovule. This enables seeds to survive extreme conditions for a long period of time.
