Which of the following develops a tough coat and is gradually converted into a seed in plants?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent 21 July 2019 (shift 1st)

Explanation

In flowering plants, the process of sexual reproduction culminates in the formation of seeds and fruits.
After fertilization, the ovule, which contains the fertilized egg (zygote), begins to mature.
The outer layers of the ovule, called integuments, harden and thicken to form the tough, protective seed coat (testa).
The entire ovule structure, containing the developing embryo and its food source (endosperm), develops into the seed.

Option B: Pollen grains are male gametophytes that contain the male gametes. Their function is to pollinate the flower by transferring genetic material to the ovule; they do not develop into seeds.
Option C: The embryo is the young, developing plant that is contained within the seed. It develops from the zygote after fertilization.
Option D: The zygote is the single diploid cell that results from the fusion of male and female gametes (fertilization). It is the very first stage of the embryo, not the entire seed or its coat.

Visual 1: Diagram - A labeled diagram showing the cross-section of a flower before fertilization (highlighting the ovary and ovules) and after fertilization (showing the ovary developing into a fruit and the ovules into seeds).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Post-fertilization changes in flowering plants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a fundamental concept in biology, not clinical nursing. However, understanding plant reproduction is crucial for fields like agriculture, horticulture, and pharmacology.
Knowledge of seed development is essential for crop production, which is the basis of our food supply and has indirect impacts on human health and nutrition.
Many medicinal compounds are derived from plants, and understanding their life cycles, including seed production, is important in pharmacognosy (the study of medicines from natural sources).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'develops a tough coat' and 'converted into a seed'.
This is a factual recall question about plant reproduction.
Consider the function of each option in the context of plant life cycles.
Recall that a seed is a complex structure containing an embryo, a food supply, and a protective outer layer.
Differentiate the roles: Pollen is for pollination. The zygote is the first cell of the embryo. The embryo is inside the seed.
Conclude that the ovule is the entire structure that matures into the seed, with its outer layers forming the tough coat.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent 21 July 2019 (shift 1st)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.