What is a seed?

• A. A newly formed root
• B. New plant
• C. A mechanism for gas exchange
• D. A protective layer around leaves

Answer: (B)

A seed is the structure produced by plants after fertilization that contains an embryo and nutrients, all wrapped in a protective coat. Its purpose is to start a new plant when conditions are right, carrying the tiny plant (the embryo) that will grow into a mature individual. That’s why describing a seed as a new plant fits best—it's the form that can develop into a new plant rather than being a root, a gas-exchange mechanism, or a protective leaf covering. The other ideas refer to parts or functions of the plant: a root is part of a mature plant, gas exchange is handled by structures like stomata, and a protective leaf layer is the leaf cuticle or epidermis, not a seed.