Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Fruit Development, Structure, and Function

Fruit Development, Structure, and Function

Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.

Pollination and Flower Structure

Pollination and Flower Structure

Flowers are the reproductive, seed-producing structures of angiosperms. Typically, flowers consist of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. Sepals and petals are the vegetative flower organs. Stamens and carpels are the reproductive organs.

Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte

Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte

Seed structures are composed of a protective seed coat surrounding a plant embryo, and a food store for the developing embryo. The embryo contains the precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and roots. The endosperm and cotyledons—seed leaves—act as the food reserves for the growing embryo.

Exocytosis

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is a process that releases molecules outside the cell. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...

The Angiosperm Life Cycle

The Angiosperm Life Cycle

Plants have a life cycle split between two multicellular stages: a haploid stage—with cells containing one set of chromosomes—and a diploid stage—with cells containing two sets of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the gamete-producing gametophyte, and the diploid stage is the spore-producing sporophyte.

Morphogenesis

Morphogenesis

Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

CESA7 and microtubules pattern complex secondary cell walls in explosive fruit of Cardamine hirsuta.

The Plant cell·2026

Same author

Putting in the graft: cell wall remodeling genes underlie graft union development.

Plant physiology·2026

Same author

Inositol phosphates: small molecules with a BIG impact on maize embryo development.

Plant physiology·2026

Same author

From glossy to glaucous: How TaMYB96-2D controls wax deposition and drought resilience.

Plant physiology·2025

Same author

CUC/auxin patterning of decanalised petal number in <i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>.

Quantitative plant biology·2025

Same author

The impact of implementing universal screening for antenatal mental health conditions in Southern Tasmania, Australia: A retrospective observational study.

Midwifery·2025

Same journal

Living sensors: Engineering plants to sense and report on their environments.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

Same journal

Connecting the dots in plant metabolism: Isotopic labeling and metabolic flux analysis.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

Same journal

Seeds in suspension: Cell type-specific control of seed dormancy and germination initiation.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

Same journal

Amino acid sensing and signaling in plants.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

Same journal

No energy, no defense: Metabolic input shapes defense signaling.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

Same journal

Bridging paradoxes in recombination at NLR cluster: A structural genomics perspective.

Current opinion in plant biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Fruit Volatile Analysis Using an Electronic Nose

Fruit Volatile Analysis Using an Electronic Nose

Published on: March 30, 2012

Creating an explosion: Form and function in explosive fruit.

Erin Cullen¹, Angela Hay¹

¹Department of Comparative Development and Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, 50829 Cologne, Germany.

Current Opinion in Plant Biology

|April 30, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Seed dispersal mechanisms are diverse, with explosive fruits utilizing localized lignin and microtubule growth for seed launching. Comparative studies in species like Cardamine hirsuta reveal genetic insights beyond model organisms.

Keywords:

Cardamine hirsuta Cortical microtubules Explosive seed dispersal Fruit development Growth Lignin

More Related Videos

Sexual Development and Ascospore Discharge in Fusarium graminearum

Sexual Development and Ascospore Discharge in Fusarium graminearum

Published on: March 29, 2012

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives

Published on: February 20, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Fruit Volatile Analysis Using an Electronic Nose

Fruit Volatile Analysis Using an Electronic Nose

Published on: March 30, 2012

Sexual Development and Ascospore Discharge in Fusarium graminearum

Sexual Development and Ascospore Discharge in Fusarium graminearum

Published on: March 29, 2012

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives

Research and Development of High-performance Explosives

Published on: February 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Plant biology
Developmental genetics
Evolutionary botany

Background:

Seed dispersal adaptations are widespread but understudied in most species.
Model organisms like Arabidopsis primarily offer insights into dehiscent fruit mechanisms.
The genetic basis for diverse seed dispersal strategies, especially explosive dispersal, remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genetic and developmental underpinnings of explosive seed dispersal.
To expand the study of seed dispersal beyond model organisms using comparative approaches.
To identify key innovations driving explosive fruit evolution.

Main Methods:

Comparative developmental genetics using species like Cardamine hirsuta.
Analysis of localized lignin deposition patterns.
Investigation of microtubule-dependent growth in fruit valves.

Main Results:

Explosive dispersal relies on localized lignin deposition and specific microtubule growth patterns.
Fruit valve structure is less critical for explosive dispersal than previously thought.
Comparative studies in Cardamine hirsuta provide new genetic insights.

Conclusions:

Key innovations for explosive seed dispersal are linked to cell wall modifications and growth patterns.
Developing experimental tools in non-model species is crucial for understanding seed dispersal diversity.
This research expands our understanding of plant reproductive strategies and evolution.