Lab Work 1 EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY

Table 1. Fruit and Seed Classification based on Food Storage

PLANT CLASSIFICATION
Lima bean Exalbuminous
Mung bean Exalbuminous
Castor bean Hypocotylospermous
Corn Albuminous
Coconut Albuminous

Table 2. Fruit and Seed Dispersal

STRUCTURAL
NATURAL DISPERSING
PLANT SPECIES MODIFICATION
AGENT
(IF PRESENT)
Forming myrmecophytes by
specialized structures such as
Pterocarpus/ Triplaris Insects
domatia, food bodies and
extrafloral nectaries.
Imperata Wind Hairy and wing-like appendages
Pappus which is like a
Tridax Wind parachute that is persistent in
the calyx into hairs
Ageratum Wind and Animals Sticky hairs on the bracts
Explosive dehiscence and has a
Explosive seed dispersal/ Self-
Impatiens stored mechanical energy in its
dispersion
fruit tissues
The outer pericarp has bright
Psidium Human and Animals
colors and distinct odors
Carica papaya Human and Animals None
Manilkara zapota Animals None
Tecoma Wind Flutterer/spinners
Bixa orellana Animal and Wind None
Urena Animals Hook-like structures
The seeds are adapted with little
Desmodium Human and Animals barbs allowing it to be stuck on
the fur or clothing of people
Explosive dehiscence and has a
Explosive seed dispersal/ Self- stored mechanical energy in its
Crotolaria
dispersion and Insects fruit tissues and it contains
nectaries
Terminalia catappa Water Seeds are bouyant
The outer pericarp has bright
Lycopersicon esculentum Human and Animals
colors and distinct odors
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Why did larger seeds evolve? How are these seeds dispersed?

Larger seeds evolve in a manner that is driven by climate and environmental changes
wherein closed forest vegetation favored larger seed sizes which are dispersed by the animals and
water. (Moles, Angela & Ackerly, David & O Webb, Campbell & Tweddle, John & Dickie, John &
Westoby, Mark., 2005).

2. Differentiate two types of seed based on endosperm type ; seed germination type and give an
example for each.

An endosperm is a significant structure of the fertilized embryo which serves as the primary
storage tissue, provides starch and other nutrients to the growing embryo. There are two types of
seeds based on their utilization of their endosperm. The first one is the albuminous seed wherein the
endosperm provides nutrition to the developing embryo but remain even during the germination of the
seed and it can be categorized to have an epigeal germination where the cotyledons are brought above
the ground due to the elongation of the hypocotyl. Castor seed belongs to this type of germination and
endosperm. Meanwhile, the exalbuminous seed uses the endosperms completely hence, their
endosperm is completely absorbed during maturity making the cotyledon as their food storage and it
has an hypogeal germination where the cotyledons remain in the soil due to the elongation of the
epicotyl. This type of germination and endosperm can be seen in the seeds of pea. (Endosperm
Development: Development Process, Types, Videos, Example.,2018; Britannica, T. E., 2018)

REFERENCES
Britannica, T. E. (2018, April 11). Endosperm. Retrieved March 18, 2019, from
https://www.britannica.com/science/endosperm
Endosperm Development: Development Process, Types, Videos, Example. (2018, March 08).
Retrieved March 18, 2019, from https://www.toppr.com/guides/biology/sexual-
reproduction-in-flowering-plants/endosperm-development/
Moles, Angela & Ackerly, David & O Webb, Campbell & Tweddle, John & Dickie, John & Westoby,
Mark. (2005). A Brief History of Seed Size. Science (New York, N.Y.). 307. 576-80.
10.1126/science.1104863.