Which leaf-like structure inside the seed provides energy to the embryo?

The cotyledon is the structure inside the seed that provides energy to the embryo. It serves as a source of nutrients during the early stages of seedling development, allowing the young plant to grow until it can produce its own food through photosynthesis. In many species, the cotyledon contains stored food, which is essential for germination and the initial growth of the embryo.

While the endosperm is also involved in nutrient storage, it differs from the cotyledon in that it is a tissue that develops as part of the seed after fertilization, primarily providing energy and nourishment in seeds like grains. The hypocotyl is the part of the seedling that connects the stem to the root, playing a role in the plant's overall structure but not serving as an energy source for the embryo itself. The fruit, on the other hand, develops from the fertilized ovary and has the primary function of protecting seeds and aiding in their dispersal rather than directly providing energy to the embryo.