The primary function of ovules in flowers is to produce and house egg cells, and to develop into seeds after fertilization.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Egg Cell Production: The ovule contains the female gametophyte (also known as the embryo sac), which produces the egg cell. This egg cell is crucial for sexual reproduction in flowering plants (angiosperms).
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Housing and Protection: The ovule provides a protective environment for the developing egg cell and, later, the developing embryo after fertilization. This protection is provided by layers of tissue called integuments.
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Seed Development: Following successful fertilization of the egg cell by a sperm cell (from pollen), the ovule undergoes a transformation and develops into a seed. The seed contains the plant embryo, a food supply (endosperm or cotyledons), and a protective outer covering (seed coat, derived from the integuments of the ovule).
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Role in Fruit Formation: While the ovule directly becomes the seed, the ovary (which contains the ovules) typically develops into the fruit. Therefore, the number of ovules in an ovary often corresponds to the number of seeds within the fruit.
In Summary: Ovules are essential for sexual reproduction in flowering plants because they produce and protect the egg cell, and after fertilization, they transform into seeds, ensuring the continuation of the plant's life cycle.
