In biology, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant (angiosperm) that contains seeds. It is a seed-bearing structure that develops from the flower's ovary after fertilization. Essentially, fruits are unique to flowering plants.
Here's a breakdown:
- Origin: Fruits develop from the ovary of a flower, sometimes including other floral parts.
- Function: The primary function of a fruit is seed protection and dispersal.
- Exclusivity: Fruits are only produced by flowering plants (angiosperms).
- Composition: While often thought of as sweet and fleshy, fruits can be diverse in their structure and composition, including dry and hard structures like nuts and grains.
In summary, a fruit in biology is the mature ovary of a flowering plant containing seeds and functioning to protect and disperse those seeds.
