FORMATION FRUIT AND SEED

Importance of double fertilisation

It is unique to angiosperm plants as it give rise to seeds with diploid zygote and

triploid nucleus
Gametes are produced by meiosis contributing to genetic variability in zygote

which is importance for survival of species

Endosperm is a food storage in seed that provide nutrients for development of

embryo. This allows seed to be dispersed to wider areas and to survive for a long
period during unfavourable conditions.
Seeds of angiosperms are protected by fruit wall which is also help in the
dispersal of seeds.

6.6 GROWTH IN MULTICELLULAR ORGANISMS.

An irreversible increase in size of an organism accompanied by an irreversible increase in

mass
May occur in certain parts or all parts of the body
May occur at certain times of an organisms life cycle
3 stages in the growth of multicellular organisms:
1) Cell division- increase in number of cells

Achieved by mitosis which ensure the genetic composition of daughter cell does not

change
The growth rate in this stage is slow

2) Cell elongation: increase in cell size

Achieved by absorption of water and nutrients by cell, from internal environment

The growth rate in this stage is fast

3) Cell differentiation: form a specialised cells with specific functions

Achieved when cell undergoes specific morphological and physiological changes and

become specialised.
The growth rate in this stage is slow

In plants, cells differentiate to form xylem, phloem, cambium, guard cells and
epidermal cells

In animal, cells differentiate to form muscle, nerve, bone, gamete and

epidermal cells

6.7 GROWTH CURVE

Measurement of growth
PARAMETER USED
IN MEASURING
GROWTH
Length or height

Surface area
Volume

ADVANTAGES

- Easy and quick to measure

- Growth may occur in other

- No need to kill organisms

- Repetitive measurement can be

directions

carried out
- More accurate
-

More suitable for organism

that is spherical in shape

Wet mass/ fresh

mass

DISADVANTAGES

Easy to measure
Repetitive measurement can be
carried out
No need to kill microorganism

Difficult and not practical to

carry out
Organism rarely in spherical

in shape
Difficult to calculate if

organism in irregular shape

May be inaccurate due to
fluctuations in water content
in the body of living

Dry mass

A more accurate measurement

of the organic substances in

the body of organism

organisms
Different living organisms
have different amount of
water content in them
All water need to be
removed from organism
Need to kill organisms

GROWTH CURVE
Growth curves are plotted using data from measurements of suitable growth
parameters. For most organisms, a sigmoid or S-shaped curve is obtained when the
growth parameter is plotted against time. This curve can be divided into 5 phases.

HUMAN GROWTH CURVE

-

The growth curve shows two sigmoid

parts that are connected on top of the
other
This is because human growth curve
has two fast growth phases infant

phase and teenage phase

The growth rate in male and female are

slightly different
The growth rate of boys is faster than
of girl after the age of about 4 years

INSECT GROWTH CURVE

Insects undergo intermittent or

discontinuous growth
Insects have a hard, in elastic outer cuticle
(exoskeleton) that restrics growth
1. moulting or ecdysis is the time where
the shedding of exoskeleton of insect
occur
2. an instar is a larval stage between 2
moults. Before moulting, a new cuticle is
formed. Growth occur while new cuticle
is still soft. The insect swallows air or
water which pushes the cuticle
outward. This leaves a gap or growth of
internal tissue.

Once new cuticle is fully hardened, no

further growth occurs until the next moult.

PLANT GROWTH CURVE