Question

Aril represents the edible part in:
A. Litchi
B. Apple
C. Mango
D. Banana

Answer 1

A seed is formed after the process of fertilization between male (pollen) and female gametes (ovule). A seed encloses the embryonic part formed by growth of zygote in a protective covering. Seeds are sown into the soil to give rise to new plants.

Complete answer:
Seeds are formed inside fruits and are often called as fertilized ovules. A seed is composed of seed coat, cotyledons and an embryo axis. Seed coat is usually hard and performs the function of protection of the embryo present in seed. Cotyledons are the storage structures which are generally thick and swollen. Angiosperms produce seeds in the covering of fruits. Fruits contain the seeds which are protected and nourished inside it. Fruits can be simple as well as of aggregate type.
In endospermic seeds, there is a presence of an endosperm and a small embryo. Embryo is the fertilized ovule which is developed from zygote. The new plant germinates through the embryo when the seed is sown in soil under suitable conditions. Until then, the nutrition and food for the developing embryo is provided by the endospermic cells present in the seed, these are called cotyledons. If the embryo has one cotyledon, it is called monocotyledonous. And if there are two cotyledons, it is called dicotyledonous. In grains, only one cotyledon is present which is shield shaped and is called scutellum.
The seed coat is the tissue which is derived from the integuments surrounding the ovules and performs the function of protection of embryo from mechanical injury, stress and predators. It has two parts testa and tegmen. The seed coat may be hard and thick like in coconut; it can be thin like a paper as in peanuts or maybe fleshy as in case of pomegranate. The outer integument is made of an epidermal layer called testa. In addition to this layer, sometimes an appendage like layer which partly or completely covers the seed called aril is also present. It is commonly seen in litchi.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A- litchi.

Note: The seeds play important functions of the plants which are nourishment of embryo, dispersal to new places and dormancy during unfavorable conditions. Seeds are the products of sexual reproduction which are a source of genetic variability which can be induced in the plants.