Dicot Embryo — Embryonal Axis, Cotyledons, Plumule, Radicle, Epicotyl, Hypocotyl
📚 Practice ConceptA typical dicotyledonous embryo, consists of an embryonal axis and two cotyledons. The portion of embryonal axis above the level of cotyledons is the epicotyl, which terminates with the plumule or stem tip. The cylindrical portion below the level of cotyledons is hypocotyl that terminates at its lower end in the radicle or root tip. The root tip is covered with a root cap.
The epicotyl is the cylindrical portion below the level of cotyledons that terminates in the radicle.
The EPICOTYL is ABOVE the cotyledons (terminates in plumule → shoot). The HYPOCOTYL is BELOW the cotyledons (terminates in radicle → root). Don't swap.
EPI = above (plumule → shoot). HYPO = below (radicle → root). Cotyledons = food (2 in dicot, 1 in monocot). Coleorhiza/coleoptile = monocot only.
- Plumule = embryonic shoot tip → develops into SHOOT system; terminates the epicotyl.
- Radicle = embryonic root tip → develops into ROOT system; terminates the hypocotyl. Covered by root cap.
- Epicotyl = axis ABOVE cotyledons; Hypocotyl = axis BELOW cotyledons.
- Cotyledons: 1 in monocot (scutellum in grasses), 2 in dicot. Monocots also have coleoptile (plumule sheath) + coleorhiza (radicle sheath).
Match the embryo parts with their derivatives and key features: Column I (Part): A. Plumule | B. Radicle | C. Epicotyl | D. Hypocotyl | E. Cotyledons Column II (Derivative): I. Shoot system | II. Root system | III. Stem above cotyledons | IV. Stem below cotyledons | V. Food storage Column III (Feature): P. Terminates with the shoot apex | Q. Protected by coleorhiza in monocots | R. Portion of embryonal axis ABOVE cotyledon level | S. Cylindrical portion BELOW cotyledon level | T. Can be one or two in number
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Correct answer: D — A-I-P, B-II-Q, C-III-R, D-IV-S, E-V-T
A-I-P: Plumule → SHOOT system; terminates with shoot apex. B-II-Q: Radicle → ROOT system; protected by coleorhiza in monocots. C-III-R: Epicotyl = stem above cotyledons; the portion of embryonal axis ABOVE cotyledon level. D-IV-S: Hypocotyl = stem below cotyledons; cylindrical portion BELOW cotyledon level. E-V-T: Cotyledons = food storage; can be ONE (monocot) or TWO (dicot). Correct option D. Trap: option A swaps epicotyl (R: above) with S (below), reversing the position rule.
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