CLASS 6 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Fruits and seed dispersal – basic principles
How it works
Plants form fruits, which usually contain seeds. Seeds are dispersed so that new locations can be colonized and competition with the mother plant is often lower. Important dispersal types are wind dispersal, animal dispersal, water dispersal, gravity dispersal, and self-dispersal. The structure of fruits and seeds is often adapted to the respective dispersal type, for example through wings, hooks, buoyancy, or catapult mechanisms. The fruit protects the seed and can also help disperse it.
Note
Fruits and seeds often have features that suit their dispersal. Important dispersal types are wind, animals, water, gravity, and self-mechanisms.
Fruits and seeds often have features that suit their dispersal. Important dispersal types are wind, animals, water, gravity, and self-mechanisms.
An example
Which feature helps the seed of the dandelion with dispersal by the wind?
The dandelion seed has a parachute-like structure (pappus) that acts like a parachute and allows the wind to carry the seed away. This is typical of wind dispersal.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Biology. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.