Fruits grow from flowers fruits contain seeds.
Main Difference – Fruit vs Seed
Both fruit and seeds are important biological plant parts which are derived during the process of pollination. They are two of the most commonly consumed food in the world and sometimes seeds are considered as staple foods. The main difference between fruit and seed is their formation. After the fertilization process, the ovule of the flower becomes the seed, and the ovary becomes the fruit. Fruit and seed have different sensory and nutritional properties, and this article explores the differences between fruit and seed.
What is Fruit
Fruits contribute to a significant proportion of the world’s agricultural production, and some fruits have gained huge economic, cultural and symbolic meanings. There are three types of fruits such as simple fruits, aggregate fruits, and multiple fruits. Although single fruits only comprise of a single ovary, it may have one or more seeds. They may be fleshy or dry, and berry is a very good example of a single fruit. Aggregate fruits are originated from a single compound flower which contains many ovaries. Blackberry is a good example of aggregate fruits. Multiple fruits are originated from multiple flowers with attached ovaries.
Generally, the edible portion of the fruit is the pericarp. The pericarp of the fruit has 3 layers including the exocarp or the peel, mesocarp and the endocarp or the pith. Exocarp is the outermost layer of the pericarp. The mesocarp is the fleshy middle layer, and it can be found between the exocarp and the endocarp. Endocarp is the innermost layer of the pericarp which surrounds the seeds.