- There are three main parts of the seed:
- The Seed Coat- a covering that has two roles: to protect the embryo and guard endosperm.
- Embryo- a new plant in a seed
- Endosperm- a stash of food stored for the embryo.
- The embryo has structures called leaves or cotyledons.
- Some plants have one cotyledon. These are called monocots.
- Vessels in a monocot leaf go parallel. If you cut a monocot stem you will see bundles of vessels throughout the stem.
- Monocots have fibrous root systems.
- Some plants have two cotyledons. These are called dicots.
- Vessels in a dicot leaf branch out. If you cut a dicot stem you will see a circle of bundles.
- Dicots have taproot systems.