The statement that pollination and seed formation are crucial for fruit formation is absolutely correct. Here’s why:
Pollination:
- Triggers fruit development: Pollination acts as the initial signal for the ovary of the flower to start developing into a fruit.
- Provides genetic diversity: Pollen grains typically carry male genetic material from another plant, which, upon fertilization, leads to the creation of unique offspring with a mix of parental genes.
Seed formation:
- Stimulates further fruit development: Fertilization of the egg cell within the ovule by the sperm cell from the pollen grain leads to the formation of a zygote, which starts dividing and developing into an embryo. This embryo development triggers further growth and maturation of the ovary into a fruit.
- Provides resources for fruit ripening: Seeds store nutrients in the form of endosperm, vital for the ripening and development of the fruit.
- Dispersal and future generations: Mature seeds provide a means for plant dispersal and enable future generations to grow and thrive.