Seeds vs Spores A seed is an embryo of a plant encased in a protective covering and surrounded by a food supply.

A spore is a haploid reproductive cell.

Spores Includes mosses and ferns. Need water for reproduction. Must live near water No protection from harsh conditions. New plant must make its own food. Must grow where it lands. Seeds Includes flowers And gymnosperms Do not need water Can live anywhere Protected by a seed coat Provides a food source for the embryo. Can disperse in different ways.

How can seeds be dispersed? Animals – ingesting and excreting the seeds.

Animals carrying the seeds.

Wind

Water

Seed plants are organized into 2 categories: Cone-bearing plants (Gymnosperms) Flowering plants (Angiosperms) Seeds are found on the surface of the cones, not included in a fruit Seeds are enclosed in some type of a fruit Seed bearing structures are fruit Seed bearing structures are woody cones. Seed plants do not need water to reproduce, the transfer of sperm is by pollen. Embryos are protected in the seeds.

Plumule Seed coat or Radicle testa Micropyle Cotelydon containing Embryonic stem Embryonic root Seed coat or testa Radicle Micropyle Cotelydon containing the endosperm Hilum Only in plants with fruit