fruit
Definition
Fruit is the ripened ovary of a flowering plant. It is typically sweet and fleshy, and it contains seeds. Fruits are an important part of the diet, as they are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
Fruits are classified into two main types: simple fruits and aggregate fruits. Simple fruits develop from a single flower, while aggregate fruits develop from a cluster of flowers.
Simple fruits are further classified into three types: drupes, berries, and pome fruits. Drupes have a hard outer layer, called a pit, that surrounds the seed. Berries have a soft outer layer and multiple seeds. Pome fruits have a core that contains the seeds.
Aggregate fruits are also further classified into two types: multiple fruits and aggregate drupes. Multiple fruits are made up of many small fruits that are fused together. Examples of multiple fruits include raspberries and blackberries. Aggregate drupes are made up of many small drupes that are fused together. Examples of aggregate drupes include mulberries and breadfruit.
How can the word be used?
I like to eat fruit for breakfast.
Different forms of the word
Noun: fruit, fruits.
Adjective: fruity.
Verb: fruit, fruited, fruiting.
Etymology
The word "fruit" comes from the Old English word frēot, which means "fruit". The Old English word frēot is thought to be related to the Old Norse word fruti, which also means "fruit".
Question
Why is it important to eat fruit regularly?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the process of fruit ripening and the role of plant hormones in this process.
Answer:
Fruit ripening is a complex physiological process orchestrated by plant hormones. As fruits develop, the plant hormone ethylene plays a central role in initiating and regulating ripening. Ethylene, a gas, is produced by the fruit itself as it matures. When released, it triggers a positive feedback loop, causing nearby fruits to produce even more ethylene and accelerate ripening.
During ripening, fruits undergo several changes. Starches are converted into sugars, making the fruit sweeter. The colour of the fruit may change due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and the synthesis of pigments. Additionally, the fruit softens as enzymes break down cell walls, leading to a change in texture.
Other plant hormones, such as auxins, gibberellins, and abscisic acid, also influence fruit development and ripening. These hormones interact to coordinate the complex series of biochemical and physiological changes that give us the ripe and delicious fruits we enjoy.