Fruits: Structure and Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of fruit in botanical terms?

A fruit is the structure that develops from the matured ovary after fertilization and contains the seed.

Name two types of simple fruits and provide a brief description of each.

Dry fruits, which have a hard, woody pericarp, and fleshy fruits, which have a soft pericarp.

What distinguishes aggregate fruits from multiple fruits?

Aggregate fruits are formed from one flower with an apocarpous pistil, whereas multiple fruits come from many flowers whose ovaries unite.

Define dry dehiscent fruits and give an example.

Dry dehiscent fruits are those with a hard and dry pericarp that can split to release their seeds, such as legumes. Signup and view all the answers

What are dry indehiscent fruits, and how are they classified?

Dry indehiscent fruits do not split to release their seeds and are classified into types like achene and samara. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the structure of a typical fruit's pericarp.

The pericarp consists of three layers: the epicarp (outer layer), mesocarp (middle layer), and endocarp (inner layer). Signup and view all the answers

Why is the classification of fruits important in botany?

Classification of fruits helps in understanding their structure, development, and roles in plant reproduction and dispersal. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of a fleshy fruit and describe its features.

An example of a fleshy fruit is a peach, which has a soft mesocarp that is edible and surrounds a hard endocarp containing the seed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a caryopsis, and provide two examples of fruits that fit this classification?

A caryopsis is a one-seeded dry indehiscent fruit where the pericarp is fused with the testa. Examples include rice and maize. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between a cypsela and a nut, mentioning key characteristics of each.

A cypsela is a one-seeded dry fruit with a hairy pappus, while a nut is a dry fruit with a hard or tough pericarp. Nuts, like cashews, have a woody covering whereas cypselas, like those of Tridax, do not. Signup and view all the answers

Define drupe and provide two examples of fruits classified as drupes.

A drupe is a true simple fruit with a fleshy mesocarp and a hard stony endocarp that encloses seeds. Examples include mango and coconut. Signup and view all the answers

What makes a pome distinct from other fruit types, and give two examples of pomes?

A pome is a simple false fruit where the outer fleshy part comes from the receptacle's swelling, not just the ovary. Examples include apples and pears. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast the structure of a drupe and a berry.

A drupe has an epicarp, fleshy mesocarp, and a hard endocarp, whereas a berry has a fleshy pericarp throughout without a hard shell. Additionally, whole drupes are not typically eaten. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what a hesperidium is and provide an example of a fruit that falls under this category.

A hesperidium is a true simple fruit characterized by multiple chambers separated by sheets of endocarp, typically with a rind. An example is an orange. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and describe the major difference between fruit and seed.

Fruits are formed from the ovary and consist of the pericarp, whereas seeds are formed from the ovule and contain an embryo. Fruits can have multiple seeds. Signup and view all the answers

What is a samara, and how does its structure differ from that of a nut?

A samara is a dry fruit with an extended pericarp that forms wings, allowing it to be wind-dispersed. In contrast, a nut has a hard, woody pericarp without wings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meaning of Fruit

Develops from the matured ovary after fertilization.
Contains seeds; parthenocarpic fruits do not develop from fertilized ovaries.
Composed of pericarp, which includes epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp.

Types of Fruits

Classified by origin or structure:
- True and false fruit.
- Simple, aggregate, and composite (multiple) fruits.
- Fleshy and dry fruits.
- Dehiscent and indehiscent fruits.

Simple Fruits

Formed from one flower with either a monocarpous or syncarpous pistil.

Aggregate and Composite Fruits

Aggregate fruits originate from one flower with an apocarpous pistil.
Composite (multiple) fruits come from several flowers; ovaries unite post-fertilization (e.g., pineapple, breadfruit).

Dry Fruits

Pericarp dries, becoming hard, woody, or fibrous upon ripening.
Divided into dehiscent and indehiscent.

Dry Dehiscent Fruits

Split open to release seeds; types include:
- Follicle: splits along one side (e.g., kola).
- Legume: splits along two sides (e.g., cowpea, beans).
- Capsule: splits along two or more lines (e.g., okra, cotton).
- Schizocarps: break into one-seeded parts called mericarp (e.g., Mimosapudica).
- Siliqua: long capsule with two chambers, dehisces by sutures (e.g., Teconia).

Dry Indehiscient Fruits

Do not split to release seeds; types include:
- Achene: contains one seed (e.g., sunflower, rose).
- Caryopsis: fused pericarp and seed (e.g., rice, maize).
- Cypsela: one-seeded, hairy pappus (e.g., Tridax).
- Nut: hard pericarp (e.g., cashew, walnut).
- Samara: pericarp forms wings (e.g., Combretum).

Fleshy Fruits

Juicy and succulent; usually indehiscent; store water and carbohydrates.
Main types include:
- Drupe: pericarp includes thin epicarp, fleshy mesocarp, and hard stony endocarp (e.g., mango, coconut).
- Berry: fleshy mass with non-stony endocarp (e.g., guava, banana).
- Pome: simple false fruit; outer covering from receptacle swelling (e.g., apple, pear).
- Hesperidium: chambers separated by endocarp membranes (e.g., orange).

Differences Between Fruit and Seed

Fruit forms from ovary, seed from ovule.
Fruit has two scars (style/stigma remnant, attachment to receptacle); seed has one scar (placenta attachment).
Fruit contains seeds, seed consists of an embryo.
Fruit features pericarp; seed has testa.

Differences Between Drupe and Berry

Drupe has a hard endocarp, while berry has a fleshy endocarp.
Entire drupe not typically eaten; entire berry is consumed.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of fruits in this quiz. Learn about the structure of fruits, the different types, and how they disperse through various agents. Test your knowledge on the biology and classification of these essential plant structures.