Testa (Noun)
Meaning
Protective outer layer of seeds of flowering plants.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The testa is the outer protective layer of the seed that prevents damage from environmental stresses and pathogens.
- In most flowering plants, the testa is composed of dead cells that provide additional protection to the delicate embryonic tissues.
- When the seed germinates, the testa typically cracks or splits, allowing the radicle to emerge and begin root growth.
- Seed coats can be further divided into two distinct layers, the outermost of which is the testa.
- The testa of seeds from flowering plants often have specialized features such as hairs, spines, or waxy coatings that aid in dispersal.