What protects the developing embryo within a seed?

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The seed coat is the outer protective layer that surrounds and safeguards the developing embryo within a seed. Its primary function is to protect the embryo from physical damage, pathogens, and desiccation (drying out) during the various stages of seed development and dormancy. The seed coat can also help regulate the movement of water and gases, which is crucial for the embryo's health and viability.

This layer is often tough and may vary in thickness and texture among different plant species. In addition to providing physical protection, the seed coat can also play a role in preventing premature germination by blocking out environmental factors until conditions are favorable for the embryo's growth.

While the endosperm provides nourishment, and cotyledons are involved in the early stages of the seedling's growth, neither of these structures serves the primary role of safeguarding the embryo in the way that the seed coat does. The pollen tube is involved in fertilization and transferring sperm cells to the ovule but is not part of the seed structure.

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