What is the primary function of a fruit in flowering plants?

• A. To photosynthesize
• B. To store starch
• C. To protect seeds and aid in their dispersal
• D. To anchor the plant to soil

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that a fruit’s job is to protect the seeds and help spread them to new places. After fertilization, the ovary swells and develops into the fruit, encasing and shielding the seeds as they mature. Beyond protection, fruits are designed to attract dispersers—bright color, tasty flesh, and scents draw animals to eat the fruit, and then the seeds either pass through the animal or are dropped nearby, enabling the plant to colonize new areas. Some fruits rely on wind or water for dispersal as well, especially dry fruits with lightweight seeds or winged structures.

Photosynthesis happens mainly in leaves and green stems, not in the fruit. Storing starch is typically a function of other plant parts like roots, tubers, or seed tissues, rather than the overarching role of fruit. And anchoring the plant to soil is a root-and stem function, not related to what fruits do.