What structure consists of the embryonic plant, stored nutrients, and a protective coating?

The structure that consists of the embryonic plant, stored nutrients, and a protective coating is a seed.

Seeds are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. Within a seed, the embryonic plant is the part that will develop into a new plant upon germination. This embryonic development is supported by stored nutrients, typically in the form of endosperm or cotyledons, which provide the necessary energy for the seedling during the early stages of growth before it can start to photosynthesize. Furthermore, the seed is encased in a protective coating that safeguards this delicate structure from environmental stressors, pathogens, and physical damage.

In contrast, cotyledons are the seed leaves that are part of a seed but do not encompass the entire structure. The hypocotyl is a part of the seedling that connects the cotyledons to the root but again does not define the overall structure. Fruits, while they may contain seeds, refer to the mature ovary of a flower and are not the same as seeds themselves. Thus, the seed is the most comprehensive answer regarding the described components.