Question

Seeds with hooks are dispersed by
A. Water
B. Wind
C. Animals
D. Explosion mechanism

Answer 1

Seeds are produced as a result of fertilization and under the appropriate condition gives rise to a new plant. Seeds contain food that provides nutrition to the developing embryo and it can also maintain dormancy under unfavourable conditions. Seeds are broadly of two types- monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous.

Complete Answer:
- Seed dispersal refers to the process by which seeds move away from the plant that produces them. Plants are not able to move from one place to another so they depend on various external factors for the transportation of seeds. They can be transported by biotic factors such as birds or abiotic factors such as wind or water.
Seed dispersal is broadly of two types- autochory and allochory.
(I) Autochory plants are those that disperse seeds without the help of external factors. Dispersion may be caused by a crawling movement of the stem, gravity; where the weight of the fruit to fall from the plant after which they can be dispersed further.
(II) Allochory is the type of dispersion which is mediated by external factors. They include wind, water, animals and humans. Many seeds have a structure by the help of which they get attached to surfaces and get dispersed.
- Seeds with hooks attach to the fur of animals or clothes of humans and are dispersed to a sufficient distance. They might then fall off and germinate into a new plant under suitable conditions.

So the correct answer is option C) Animals.

Note: The dispersal of seeds is important for the ecology and evolution of plants. It is known to be a contributing factor in species diversity. So knowledge about the agents through which dispersal can be done is of importance.