What is a seed in the context of flowering plants?

In the context of flowering plants, a seed is defined as the structure that contains the embryo of a plant. This definition encompasses the crucial components that allow for the development of a new plant. Seeds are formed after fertilization of the ovule in the flower and serve as the means by which flowering plants reproduce and disperse.

The seed not only harbors the embryo, which will grow into a new plant under suitable conditions, but it also provides essential nutrients to support early growth. The protective outer layer of the seed also plays a critical role in safeguarding the embryo during its dormancy and before germination. This unique structure is fundamental to the life cycle of angiosperms, ensuring the continuation of the species.

Understanding the role of seeds is integral to grasping plant reproduction. The other choices pertain to different components or processes associated with plants but do not capture the essence of what a seed represents within the life cycle and reproductive strategy of flowering plants.