TeXes Science Practice Test

What is a seed primarily described as?

1. A plant embryo

2. A nutritional source

3. An embryo with a protective coat

4. A fully formed plant

The correct answer is: An embryo with a protective coat

A seed is primarily described as an embryo with a protective coat. This definition highlights the essential components of a seed: the embryo is the young plant that develops into the mature organism, while the protective coat, known as the seed coat, safeguards the embryo and its stored nutrients until the right conditions for germination occur. The seed coat serves multiple functions, such as preventing desiccation, protecting against physical damage, and sometimes providing barriers against pathogens. In addition to the embryo and its protective coat, seeds also contain nutrients that support initial growth, but the defining feature remains the embryo combined with its protective nature. Describing a seed simply as a plant embryo would not capture its full structure and function, nor would focusing solely on its role as a nutritional source or characterizing it as a fully formed plant, as the latter implies growth beyond the seed stage. Therefore, the most accurate description encompasses both the embryonic aspect and the protective features of the seed.