What do seed cones produce in gymnosperms?

Seed cones in gymnosperms are responsible for producing ovules, which are the structures that develop into seeds after fertilization. In the reproductive cycle of gymnosperms, seed cones house the ovules on their scales. As these ovules mature, they will be fertilized by pollen from male cones, leading to the development of seeds. This process is fundamental to the reproduction of gymnosperms, enabling them to produce the next generation of plants.

Pollen, while crucial for fertilization, is produced by male cones, not seed cones. Spores are more characteristic of non-seed plants, such as ferns and mosses, and represent a different stage in the reproductive cycle. Fronds refer to the leaves of ferns and are not involved in the reproduction of gymnosperms. Therefore, in the context of the function of seed cones, the correct answer relates directly to their role in producing ovules.