Embryos and Seeds

Within the ovule, the developmental process begins with the enlargement of the endosperm, which is the source of nutrition for the embryo. The cells of the embryo then divide forming a shoot end and a root end. The shoot end forms cotyledons, or seed leaves, which channel nutrients to the embryo. There are two main groups of plants, the dicots (two cotyledons) and the monocots (one cotyledon).


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