What is a cotyledon?

What is a cotyledon?

• A. The outer protective covering of a seed
• B. A specialized root structure in gymnosperms
• C. First leaf or first pair of leaves produced by the embryo of a seed plant
• D. The mature leaf of a seed plant

Answer: (C)

Cotyledons are the first leaves that form from the embryo inside a seed. They serve as the seed’s initial leaf tissue and often provide nutrients or become the first photosynthetic leaves after germination. In many dicots you’ll see two cotyledons, while in most monocots there is a single cotyledon. This distinguishes them from the seed coat (outer protective layer) and from mature leaves that develop later, which is why the description of cotyledons as the first leaf or first pair of leaves produced by the embryo best fits.

Cotyledons are the first leaves that form from the embryo inside a seed. They serve as the seed’s initial leaf tissue and often provide nutrients or become the first photosynthetic leaves after germination. In many dicots you’ll see two cotyledons, while in most monocots there is a single cotyledon. This distinguishes them from the seed coat (outer protective layer) and from mature leaves that develop later, which is why the description of cotyledons as the first leaf or first pair of leaves produced by the embryo best fits.