Practice question

Fruit maturation from fertilized ovary wall transforms pericarp into diverse structures specialized for seed protection during development and dispersal after maturity, exploiting biotic frugivory birds mammals, anemochory via wings pappus hairs, hydrochory buoyancy corky tissues, or autochory explosive dehiscence elastic tension. Exocarp mesocarp endocarp differentiation enables fleshy drupes berries pomes, dry dehiscent legumes follicles capsules, indehiscent caryopses achenes samaras nuts. Photosynthesis performed leaves stems, pollination precedes fertilization via vector transfer, fertilization initiates seed formation zygote endosperm, but fruit prime adaptive role remains dispersal extending species range, reducing sibling competition and facilitating colonization of new habitats and islands.