GED Science Practice

What is a "Seed" with regard to plant biology?

1. a. Water that is not hard (does not contain salts that interfere with the formation of lather with soap)

2. b. A cell that converts solar energy into electrical energy

3. c. A developed ovule consisting of a protective coat stored food and an embryo

4. d. The sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it in its gravitational field

The correct answer is: c. A developed ovule consisting of a protective coat stored food and an embryo

In plant biology, a seed is defined as a developed ovule that consists of a protective coat, stored food, and an embryo. The protective coat, also known as the testa, serves to shield the seed from environmental factors and helps prevent desiccation. Inside the seed, the stored food provides the necessary nutrients for the developing embryo during germination, supporting its initial growth until it can photosynthesize on its own. The embryo is the young plant that develops from the fertilization of the ovule and will eventually grow into a mature plant. The combination of these three components—protective coat, stored food, and embryo—enables the seed to survive adverse conditions and facilitates the process of reproduction for the plant. Once conditions are favorable, the seed will germinate, leading to the development of a new plant. This biological structure is crucial for the continuation of species and genetic diversity in plants. Other options describe unrelated concepts; for instance, the first option refers to a type of water, while the second discusses a cell type unrelated to seeds, and the last option pertains to astronomical bodies rather than plant biology.