INDEHISCENCE Meaning and
Definition
-
Indehiscence is a term used to describe the characteristic of a plant structure, such as a fruit or seed pod, that does not naturally split or open at maturity to release its contents. It refers to the lack of dehiscence, which is the opening or splitting of a plant structure to expose its inner parts.
In plants, indehiscence occurs when a structure fails to undergo the typical process of dispersal or release of its reproductive units, such as seeds or spores, by opening or breaking apart. Instead, the structure remains closed or fused, preventing the dispersal of its contents. This lack of dehiscence can be a natural and inherent trait of certain species or can be induced by various factors such as genetic abnormalities, environmental conditions, or mutations.
Indehiscent structures can vary in their forms and functions. For example, some fruits, like a peach or cherry, have indehiscent structures that protect and enclose the seeds within a fleshy or hard outer layer, enabling greater seed survival and dispersal by animals. In contrast, dehiscent fruits, such as the pod of a pea or bean, split open when ripe to release their seeds.
Understanding indehiscence is crucial in fields such as plant reproductive biology, agriculture, and horticulture, as it influences seed dispersal mechanisms, propagation methods, and breeding strategies. Additionally, indehiscent structures have economic significance in crop plants, as they can affect harvest methods and seed quality.
Common Misspellings for INDEHISCENCE
- undehiscence
- jndehiscence
- kndehiscence
- ondehiscence
- 9ndehiscence
- 8ndehiscence
- ibdehiscence
- imdehiscence
- ijdehiscence
- ihdehiscence
- insehiscence
- inxehiscence
- incehiscence
- infehiscence
- inrehiscence
- ineehiscence
- indwhiscence
- indshiscence
- inddhiscence
Etymology of INDEHISCENCE
The word "indehiscence" comes from the combination of two Latin roots: "in-" meaning "not" or "lack of", and "dehiscere" meaning "to split open" or "to gape". "Dehiscence" itself is derived from the Latin word "dehiscens", the present participle of "dehiscere". "Indehiscence" is formed by adding the prefix "in-" to "dehiscence", indicating the negation or absence of splitting open or opening up. In a botanical context, "Indehiscence" refers to the inability of fruit or seed capsules to naturally open or split open to release their contents.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
