Fruit : Formation, Parts of fruit | study science

Fruit

           The fruit is a characteristic feature of flowering plant. It is a mature or ripened ovary developed after fertilization. It usually contain seeds.

Fruits are important source of dietary fiber,vitamins, antioxidant

They are the main source of a balanced diet.

 

Parthenocarpic fruits - If a fruit is formed without fertilisation of the ovary it is called parthenocarpic                                         fruit.   e.g. Banana

 

Parts of a fruit

 

A fruit consist of pericarp and seeds:

 

 

 

1. Pericarp 

                    The pericarp develops as the wall of the fruits. The pericarp may be dry as in walnut or fleshy as in mango.

When pericarp is thick & fleshy it is  differentiated into 3 layers

(a) Epicarp- It is the outermost layers that forms the peel.

 

(b) Mesocarp- The fleshy, edible portion of fruit is mesocarp It is present in middle layer.

 

(c) Endocarp-  Inner rough portion where seed is accomodated are called endocarp. Endocarp is the             innermost layer.

 

2. Seed

             Seeds are ripened, fertilized ovules.