Simple, aggregate, and composite fruits - SS3 Biology Lesson Note
Simple, aggregate, and composite fruits are three types of fruits classified based on their structure and development. Here's a breakdown of each type:
1. Simple Fruits: Simple fruits develop from a single ovary of a single flower. They can be further categorized into various subtypes:
a. Fleshy Simple Fruits: Fleshy simple fruits have a soft, juicy mesocarp (the middle layer of the fruit wall). Examples include berries (e.g., tomatoes, grapes) and drupes (e.g., peaches, cherries), which have a stony endocarp surrounding a single seed.
b. Dry Simple Fruits: Dry simple fruits have a dry or hardened mesocarp at maturity. They can be further classified into:
i. Dehiscent Fruits: Dehiscent fruits split open at maturity to release the seeds. Examples include legumes (e.g., peas, beans), capsules (e.g., poppy), and follicles (e.g., milkweed).
ii. Indehiscent Fruits: Indehiscent fruits do not split open at maturity. Examples include achene (e.g., sunflower seed), nut (e.g., acorn), and samara (e.g., maple seed).
2. Aggregate Fruits: Aggregate fruits develop from a single flower with multiple separate ovaries in the same flower. Each ovary matures into a small, separate fruit called a "fruitlet." These fruitlets are clustered together to form a larger aggregate fruit. Examples include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
3. Composite Fruits: Composite fruits, also known as multiple fruits, are formed from a cluster of individual flowers, each with its own ovary. The ovaries fuse together as the fruit develops, creating a single structure formed by the fused ovaries. Examples include pineapples, figs, and mulberries.
Understanding the different types of fruits helps us classify and identify the diverse structures found in the plant kingdom. It also provides insights into the reproductive strategies and adaptations of different plant species for seed dispersal and propagation.
