Once fertilization occurs zygote divides by mitosis to form an embryo. The embryo obtains water, sucrose and ions from xylem and phloem through the endosperm
- embryo continues to divide to form a plumule (embryonic shoot) and radicle (embryonic root) and one or two cotyledons
- as embryo gets larger nucellus gets squashed and disintegrates as seed develops supplying nutreints for growth of embryo
- the intreguments form the seed coat or testa which protects seed from mechanical damage
- after fertilizzation the ovule becomes a seed and the ovary a fruit
- the fruit wall (pericarp) enlarges to accommodate the growing seeds
- the attachment to the ovule now reabsorbs water so that the seed dries out
- pericarp may retain water and become fleshy or it may also dry out
NB. lugume embryo develop two cotyledon that swell with starch which cerals eg wheat, rice develop thin cotyledon with no store
