Växtfrön

Växtfrön, or plant seeds, are the fundamental reproductive units of flowering plants, gymnosperms, and some other groups. They are essentially embryonic plants enclosed in a protective outer covering, often accompanied by a food supply. The primary function of a seed is to carry the embryo to a suitable location and provide it with the necessary resources to germinate and grow into a new plant.

The structure of a typical seed includes the embryo, which is the immature plant itself, and the endosperm or cotyledons, which serve as a food source. The seed coat, or testa, protects the embryo and the food supply from damage, dehydration, and pathogens. Seeds are produced as a result of sexual reproduction, where pollen fertilizes an ovule within the flower.

Seed dispersal is a crucial process that allows plants to colonize new areas and avoid competition with the parent plant. This dispersal can occur through various agents, including wind, water, animals, and even mechanical ejection. Once dispersed, seeds can remain dormant for extended periods, waiting for favorable environmental conditions such as adequate moisture, temperature, and light for germination to begin. This ability to survive unfavorable conditions in a dormant state is a key evolutionary advantage for plants.

Humans have utilized växtfrön for millennia, not only for growing new plants but also as a significant food source. Grains like wheat, rice, and corn, as well as legumes such as beans and lentils, are all types of seeds that form the backbone of global agriculture and human diets. The cultivation and selection of desirable seed traits have led to the vast diversity of crops we see today.