Question

Describe the structure of monocotyledonous seed with a labelled diagram.

Accepted Answer

Seeds are the structures formed from the ovules after fertilization. Each seed consists of an embryo with sufficient reserve food materials surrounded by a seed coat. Based on the number of cotyledons, these can be divided into two: monocotyledonous seeds and dicotyledonous seeds.

The monocotyledonous seed contains only one cotyledon. It contains seed coat, hilum, endosperm and embryo.
i) Seed coat: It is the outermost layer in a seed. In the seeds of maize, rice, etc., the seed coat is not distinct. It is fused with pericarp.
ii) Hilum and micropyle: Hilum is a small scar and the micropyle represents small pore on the seeds. These are not clearly visible in monocot seeds.
iii) Endosperm: It is the nutritive tissue of the seeds and is surrounded by one cell thick aleurone layer. It is rich in protein.

iv) Embryo: The embryo consists of the following parts;

Cotyledon: The monocot seed contains a single thin, papery cotyledon called scutellum. It is present near the endosperm.

Plumule: It represents the growing tip of the shoot along with embryonic leaves. It is covered with a sheath called coleoptile.

Radicle: It is present at the lower part of the seed and covered by a root cap. It is surrounded by a protective sheath called coleorhiza.

Describe the structure of monocotyledonous seed with a labelled diagram.

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