Question

Draw a labelled diagram showing the different embryonic stages of a dicot plant, up to a fully mature embryo.

Answer 1

First, the zygote starts dividing and gives rise to the proembryo. The cells of this proembryo further divide, forming a globular, heart-shaped and finally mature embryo.

A typical dicot embryo consists of an embryonal axis and two lateral cotyledons. The portion of the embryonal axis above the levl of cotyledons is called epicotyl. It contains the plumule (shoot tip). The portion below the cotyledons is called hypocotyl. It contains the radicle (root tip). The root tip is covered by the root cap.