Evolution of the Angiosperms

Home > Biology 103: Botany > Exam Three

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe basic fruit anatomy.
  2. Identify which parts of the flower develop into the fruit and the seed.
  3. Distinguish between fleshy and dry fruit.
  4. Distinguish between aggregate and multiple fruit.
  5. Understand the function of fruit in seed dispersal.

Solutions

  1. A fruit is a matured ovary plus accessory parts, including seeds. They contain exo-, meso-, and endocarp tissue, altogether making the pericarp. The seeds are separate from and protected by the paricarp. The fruit may or may not include adjacent flower parts, and may or may not be from more than 1 ovary.
  2. Some or all parts of the flower carpels can associate with the mature ovary to become fruit. Basically: ovary and accessories = fruit, ovules = seeds.
  3. Dry: Dehiscent: capsule, legume, follicle. Indehiscent: samara, grain, achene, nut, schizocarp. Fleshy: berries: pepo, hesperidium. Drupes, pomes.
  4. Aggregate fruit comes from multiple carpels in one flower, and have fruitlets. Multiple fruit comes from multiple flowers in one inflorescence.
  5. Fruit seeds can be dispersed by wind if it or it's hairs are light, or if it has wings. It can be dispersed by animal if it can stick to it's fur or feathers, survive the digestive tract, or has oils to attract ants. It can be dispersed by water if it has trapped air for buoyancy.

Notes

Fruits

Fruits are Mature Ovaries

Apple Blossom Anatomy

Simple Fruits

Aggregate Fruits

Multiple Fruits

Simple Fruits cont.

Fruit and Seed Dispersal

Con Fruit Be Male or Female?